We’ve often been asked why warts turn black with apple cider vinegar. Warts indeed turn black when apple cider vinegar is applied to them. But you don’t need to be concerned. In fact, you should be worried if it doesn’t turn black.
It is believed that apple cider vinegar does not eradicate the virus that causes Warts. Instead, it’s the acidic nature of the vinegar that attacks warts, thereby turning them black. When warts turn black upon applying apple cider vinegar, it simply means that cells surrounding them are becoming extinct. Eventually, the wart will crust off the skin leaving it very smooth.
The acid content in apple cider vinegar is presumed to be too low to burn the skin. For this reason, you might be shocked when you see warts turn black after using this home-based remedy. However, the shock or displeasure soon becomes a pleasant surprise when you see the end result. The key lesson here is to embrace the change in color as it’s natural to the process.
What Are Warts and How Do They Form?
Warts are bulges on the skin, and they form because of a condition known as Human Papillomavirus (HPV). They are neither painful nor dangerous and will often clear up without treatment. The time it takes warts to clear up may vary depending on your immune system and the type of wart. However, you might want to treat your warts if they cause concern. For instance, if bleeding is involved.
The body’s defense mechanism often does not give much attention to the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) because it’s generally harmless. HPV typically remains inactive until they break into the body through a cut or open wound. Once the HPV gets inside, the body will react by forming warts to counter it.
More than a hundred kinds of HPV strains exist. Therefore, every wart in any part of the body has its HPV strain which aids its development. Even though most HPV strains are harmless, some can cause dangerous diseases like cervical cancer. HPV strains are contiguous and can spread quickly, so it is not advisable to rub your moist wart against other people.
How Effective Is Apple Cider Vinegar in Removing Warts
Vinegar has been proven effective against common bacteria such as Salmonella and Escherichia Coli (E Coli). However, the effectiveness of apple cider vinegar against HPV is not backed by any research. This should not stop you from using it, but be open to other options if it doesn’t deliver the expected results.
How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar in Wart Treatment Though not backed by research, apple cider vinegar remains one of the best home remedies for treating warts. The treatment is pretty straightforward. You will need water, apple cider vinegar, a cotton ball, and a bandage.
Procedure
- Add some apple cider vinegar to a basin of clean water- (ensure that you get a good concentration).
- Immerse the cotton ball into the solution.
- Squeeze the cotton ball to gently remove excess liquid and place it on the wart.
- Cover the wart with the wet cotton for the whole night.
- Remove both cotton and bandage and dispose
- Repeat the procedure until the wart drops off.
Essential Tips When Using Apple Cider Vinegar in Wart Treatment
- The wart should be left to pull off unaided since pricking it might only peel the head, leaving the root to grow again and again within days.
- Do not remove warts in sensitive parts of the body such as nostrils, mouth, and genitals.
- Areas with a high concentration of warts should receive a large amount of apple cider vinegar.
- If you have an underlying health condition, it is vital to seek the doctor’s advice before treatment to avoid injuries. This is especially crucial if you suffer from diseases that cause loss of sensation.
- Never apply apple cider vinegar on an exposed wound. If you feel a burning sensation on your skin, wash thoroughly with water.
- If you have a sensitized reaction on your body when applying apple cider vinegar, stop immediately and consult your doctor.
Other Forms of Wart Treatment
As mentioned earlier, there are other forms of wart treatment besides apple cider vinegar. These include:
Salicylic Acid
Among the many wart removers that you can find medically speaking, salicylic acid is one of the most preferred. It is applied twice a day and destroys all the skin cells in and around the wart. It leaves behind a recognizable hole which is usually trouble-free. With time, say after two or three weeks, the skin becomes smooth.
Duct Tape
Unlike salicylic acid, duct tape is a domestic remedy like apple cider vinegar. The tape is used to cover the wart to prevent it from getting the air needed to survive. After consuming the air inside, the wart will wither slowly and fall off.
Freezing the Wart
Freezing the wart until it falls off is another remedy. It is relatively expensive because you will need to acquire freezing spray. Note that the area around the wart should only be exposed to the spray for a maximum of twenty seconds. It is crucial to get an expert for this method of treatment.
Conclusion
Some people claim that drinking apple cider vinegar is effective in treating warts. Whether effective or not, we do not recommend this practice. It can cause nausea and severe vomiting, abdominal discomfort, acid reflux, and blood in the stool.
Overall, the effectiveness of apple cider vinegar in treating warts is subjective. But because it’s one of the most trusted home remedies, you shouldn’t experience any adverse effects when trying it out. Follow the instructions and be open to alternative remedies if it fails to work. A medical practitioner is better placed to handle warts that have worsened.
