Can You Remove Warts with Apple Cider Vinegar?

What causes warts?

Skin warts are very common. Most people will get one at some stage in their life.

These benign raised lesions, typically appearing on the hands and feet, are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). There’s no cure for HPV itself, so care focuses on removing the wart.

Contemporary wart treatments include:

• freezing the wart off (cryotherapy)
• topical ointments containing salicylic acid
• laser treatment
• surgical excision

However, wart removal can be expensive and uncomfortable. Multiple sessions are sometimes required. Even after successful therapy, warts can recur or spread to other body areas.

How does apple cider vinegar treat warts?

Vinegar has been used for millennia to address many ailments, from stomach upset to poison ivy and even diabetes.

The notion that apple cider vinegar can address warts has endured over time. Generally, apple cider vinegar is thought to help warts in the following ways:

• Vinegar is acidic (acetic acid), so it can inactivate some bacteria and viruses on contact.
• The vinegar causes a burning effect that gradually destroys the affected skin, causing the wart to detach, similar to the action of salicylic acid.
• The irritation from the acid may trigger your immune system to better combat the virus responsible for the wart.

How would you use apple cider vinegar to treat warts?

The most common approach to treating a wart with apple cider vinegar is simple. You’ll need a cotton ball, water, apple cider vinegar, and duct tape or a bandage.

1. Mix two parts apple cider vinegar with one part water.
2. Saturate a cotton ball with the vinegar-water mixture.
3. Place the cotton ball directly over the wart.
4. Secure it with tape or a bandage, leaving the cotton ball in place overnight (or longer if possible).
5. Discard the cotton ball and remove the dressing.
6. Repeat each night until the wart comes off.

An alternative technique is to create a soak for your hands or feet:

1. Combine equal parts apple cider vinegar and water in a basin or large container.
2. Soak the wart-affected area for around 15 minutes daily.
3. Rinse the skin with water afterward.

Is there any research to back up these claims?

Sadly, there’s limited scientific evidence that apple cider vinegar reliably removes warts. One study indicated vinegar can inactivate harmful pathogens in laboratory conditions.

Vinegar is also commonly used as a household cleanser or a food preservative.

Despite some data suggesting vinegar might work in certain contexts, research does not support vinegar as a reliable treatment for infections in humans, whether applied topically or taken internally.

Is apple cider vinegar safe to put on warts?

Vinegar is a mild acid, typically containing 4–8% acetic acid. Even so, weak acids can still cause chemical burns.

There are reports — one involving a 14-year-old girl and another an eight-year-old boy — where apple cider vinegar caused chemical burns when applied directly and covered with a dressing.

You should be very cautious when applying apple cider vinegar to your skin. Mild stinging or irritation is likely.

If you have significant pain or a burning sensation that worsens, remove the cotton ball and flush the area with water. When attempting this remedy, dilute the apple cider vinegar with water to reduce the risk of burns.

Do not apply apple cider vinegar to open cuts or to the face and neck. Also avoid using apple cider vinegar on genital warts — those require medical evaluation and treatment. For other wart-care options you might consider adjuncts like essential oils for warts alongside more conventional approaches, or try an apple cider vinegar bath for larger areas.

An allergic reaction is possible with any natural product. Signs of an allergic response may include:

• difficulty breathing
• hives or rash
• dizziness
• rapid heartbeat

The bottom line

As with many home remedies, the support for apple cider vinegar treating warts is mostly anecdotal. Because vinegar is cheap and widely available, you may wish to try it before pursuing costlier options. If you feel burning or pain, further dilute the vinegar before reapplying.

Shop for apple cider vinegar.

Do not use apple cider vinegar on open wounds. If your skin becomes very irritated or painful, rinse thoroughly with water. If you develop signs of an allergic reaction, or any concerning symptoms, stop use and contact your healthcare provider.

Treating warts may require trying several methods to discover what works best. Your doctor or dermatologist can help determine whether natural remedies used alongside standard treatments are appropriate. Discuss your options with a medical professional.