It's fairly common for people to use tea tree oil for warts, although care should be taken to avoid skin irritation. While some people prefer to apply the oil directly to the warts, health care practitioners usually suggest diluting it first with water or a carrier oil, such as olive or almond oil. Aloe vera gel or the contents of a vitamin E capsule may also be used to dilute it. When using tea tree oil to treat warts, the diluted mixture is typically applied several times per day until the wart disappears, a process that may take several weeks or months.
Some people believe that faster results are possible when using full-strength tea tree oil on warts. The problem with this is that the pure oil is known to cause mild to moderate skin irritation for many people. If this method is chosen, a cotton swab can be used to apply the oil directly to one wart two to three times per day. If skin irritation occurs, the oil should be diluted before it's used again. Due to the potential for skin irritation and discomfort, undiluted tea tree oil should not be used on mucus membranes, such as the genitals.
Depending on the location of the warts, adding a few drops of tea tree oil to a tub of warm bath water may be a good choice. The affected person can then soak in the bath for 20 to 30 minutes at a time two or three times per day. This method may also provide relief from the pain and itching sometimes associated with the presence of genital warts.
Diluted tea tree oil can be applied three to four times per day. A few drops of the oil can be mixed with a carrier oil in order to minimize the chances of skin irritation. In order to avoid the potential drying effects of tea tree oil, aloe vera gel or vitamin E liquid may be used for dilution purposes as well. Some people put a bandage over the affected area in order to avoid irritation.
