Castor oil is a home remedy for warts rather than a treatment a doctor might recommend. Usually, people apply castor oil to a wart a couple of times a day as treatment. Some people, however, find it more effective when combined with another wart removal method. Many people assert that castor oil can help get rid of a wart in just a few weeks, but this information often comes from anecdotal reports rather than scientific proof.
You can use castor oil for warts by rubbing the oil into the wart or by using a medicine dropper to apply the oil to the affected area. Some people then cover the area with a bandage, which may keep the castor oil concentrated on the area and increase its effectiveness. There are, however, some anecdotal accounts of using castor oil for warts without a bandage. You may try it either way and switch methods if you don’t see any improvement after a couple of weeks.
It is unclear exactly how castor oil works for a wart. Many alternative and home remedy websites assert that it helps soften the wart and encourage it to shrink. If the softening or shrinkage seems to happen too slowly when you use castor oil for warts, you might try combining the oil with another treatment method.
One home remedy involves keeping the wart covered with duct tape for the majority of the time. Periodically, however, you may take the duct tape off, soak the skin in warm water, and gently file the hardened skin a bit. In an attempt to speed healing, you may also choose to add a drop of castor oil to the wart before you wrap it in duct tape.
Another common home remedy using castor oil for warts involves a combination of castor oil and garlic. You can try it by rubbing the wart with castor oil or applying a drop or two of the oil and then covering the wart with a small slice of fresh garlic. Then, you can wrap this concoction with a bandage and wear it for several hours or while you sleep.
You may do well to seek a doctor's advice before using castor oil for warts. Though castor oil is generally considered safe for topical application, your doctor's input can help you decide whether it is right for you. Additionally, a doctor may have suggestions for you concerning additional treatments or ways to hasten your healing.
