The human papillomavirus (HPV) affects nearly 40% American women and 45% American men. HPV is capable of being transmitted through skin-to-skin or sexual contact(1). The virus can enter your system through a break in your skin, open wounds, or even a hangnail.
Some strains of HPV are asymptomatic and capable of going away on their own. On the other hand, other strains of HPV such as HPV-16 and HPV-18 could cause conditions like cervical cancer. So far, there is no end cure for HPV. However, vaccines are available against the high-risk strains of HPV.
The most common indication of HPV infection is warts, especially around the genital region. While these warts could be itchy, they do not cause any pain or discomfort. For women, genital warts appear on the vulva but could also be present inside the vagina or at the cervix.
In the case of men, warts appear on the penis and scrotum. Warts around the anus can occur for men and women, both. Common warts can also pop up on other parts of your body.
In this article, we will discuss how to treat HPV-related genital or common warts:
Certain essential oils could aid the healing of HPV naturally.
Tea tree essential oil is loaded with an array of properties that can promote health and wellness amongst those using it.
Tea tree oil possesses potent antimicrobial(2) properties that make it ideal for topical application over the affected region. It not only helps warts clear up, but this natural cure for HPV can also prevent the spreading of infections.
Apply tea tree oil 3 to 4 times daily.
[ Read: Tea Tree Oil For Genital Warts ]
Oregano oil is extracted from the Mediterranean herb of oregano. Let’s see how it can help to treat genital warts caused by HPV.
Studies have discovered that oregano oil contains carvacrol(3), a compound that possesses potent antibacterial and antimicrobial(4) properties that may combat the root cause of the infection.
Apply oregano oil at least 3-4 times a day for a couple of weeks.
Learn how to cure HPV with a few herbs that are readily available at home:
The golden spice, turmeric, can add a dash of health and wellness to your life. This remedy is the best cure for HPV.
Turmeric is loaded with curcumin, which is an antioxidant possessing antiviral and antimicrobial properties. Studies(5) suggest that the curcumin present in turmeric could even help in the clearance of cervical human papillomavirus infection.
Apply this paste after every 3 days until warts fall off.
[ Read: Home Remedies for Genital Warts ]
If you want to implement herbal remedies for HPV, then you must give garlic a try.
Garlic contains bioactive compounds like allicin that possess powerful antiviral and anti- carcinogenic properties that help with getting rid of cutaneous warts along with HPV treatment.
Additionally, it can also help control the proliferation of the HPV-infested cells(6) that could cause wart formation. In fact, studies(7) indicate that the application of garlic extract regularly for 2 months renders it as effective as cryotherapy!
NOTE: You can even get garlic extract supplements for HPV treatment.
Follow this treatment once every night before going to bed.
[ Read: Sexually Transmitted Diseases ]
Here is a list of reliable home remedies for treating HPV:
If you wish to get rid of HPV, antioxidants should be a vital part of your diet. Green tea is packed with such antioxidants and can actually help!
The presence of catechins such as polyphenon E(8) in green tea extracts is capable of containing and treating genital warts.
NOTE: You can even make use of ointments containing green tea extracts and apply it over the area.
Apply the green tea extract daily.
[ Read: Get Rid of Warts Naturally ]
Aloe vera gel can be an effective cure for a variety of skin-related conditions, and warts caused by HPV infection are certainly no exception.
Aloe vera gel contains malic acid(9), which possesses powerful antiviral properties. In fact, a number of formulations make use of malic acid to treat recurring warts.
Apply fresh aloe vera gel twice a day.
Now that you are aware of how to get rid of HPV-related warts, you can easily try out the remedies to see what takes effect in your case. Include crunchy vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, etc. in your anti-HPV diet as they contain Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), which speeds up the wart-clearing process.
While warts are not a medical emergency, it is advised to consult a doctor as you may have also contracted any sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which require medical attention.
[ Read: Get Rid of Plantar Warts ]
According to WHO, nearly 90 percent of HPV infections clear within two years and it may take as much as five years in some cases. However, even though warts clear up, the HPV continues to remain in your body.
While there is no concrete HPV cure, it has been established that the virus can remain in your body for years. The body can get rid of most strains of HPV on its own.
While research on how to eliminate the HPV virus is underway, there is no concrete HPV treatment. However, the symptoms of HPV are treatable.
Here are a few measures that you can take to prevent contracting an HPV infection: