Warts are benign skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They are contagious and can spread from person to person through direct skin contact. Warts often go away on their own, but many people look for ways to speed up the process. Using hot water is a popular home remedy, but does it really work?
What causes warts?
Warts are caused by infection with certain types of HPV. There are over 100 types of HPV, with different types causing warts on different areas of the body. Common warts (verruca vulgaris) occur on hands and feet. Plantar warts occur on the soles of the feet. HPV enters the top layer of skin through tiny cuts and abrasions, causing rapid growth of skin cells that leads to wart formation.
Can hot water damage warts?
The theory behind using hot water is that the heat will damage or destroy the wart tissue, causing the wart to gradually die and fall off. There is some logic to this idea. Warts are caused by viruses and heat can potentially damage viruses. Very high heat, such as from lasers or electrical current, is sometimes used to burn off warts by physicians. However, research shows that simply immersing warts in hot water does not reach high enough temperatures to have any effect.
What does research say about hot water and warts?
Several studies have investigated whether hot water immersion can get rid of warts or speed up their disappearance. The results have been disappointing:
- A 2002 study had participants immerse their warts in hot water (113°F/45°C) for 5 minutes twice a day. After 2 months, only 21% of warts had disappeared, which was no better than the placebo group.
- A 2009 study had participants immerse their warts in hot water for 10 minutes, 3 times per week, for 3 weeks. Only 15% of warts cleared with hot water immersion compared to 13% clearance in the control group.
- A 2011 study evaluated hot water soaks (113°F/45°C for 5 minutes, twice daily) over 3 months. There was a 25% clearance rate compared to 21% for the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant.
Overall, these studies show that hot water treatment does not significantly improve wart clearance compared to no treatment. The heat from hot water alone is insufficient to damage the wart virus or impact the skin’s immune response.
Does hot water have any benefits for warts?
While hot water does not directly get rid of warts, some people find it helpful for other reasons:
- Soaking in hot water can soften and loosen thick skin on the wart’s surface. This allows for easier removal of dead skin using a pumice stone or file.
- The heat may provide temporary pain relief for painful warts.
- If you combine hot water soaking with an additional treatment like salicylic acid, the heat can allow for better penetration of the acid into the wart.
The hot water itself does not have anti-wart effects, but may indirectly boost other treatments. Any benefits are temporary though, and hot water alone will not make warts disappear any faster.
Other home treatments for warts
Some home remedies that are more effective than hot water include:
- Salicylic acid – Available over-the-counter, salicylic acid can remove layers of dead skin and gradually destroy wart tissue. It may take several weeks of daily application to fully eliminate warts.
- Duct tape – Covering warts with duct tape is thought to stimulate the immune system and has been shown to help eliminate warts faster compared to no treatment.
- Garlic – Garlic has antimicrobial properties that may disrupt wart virus replication. Crushing raw garlic and applying it directly to the wart can aid removal.
- Apple cider vinegar – The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar may burn wart tissue while also stimulating the immune response against the virus.
When to see a doctor for warts
Most minor warts resolve without treatment, but it can take months to years. See your doctor if:
- Warts are widespread, very large, or growing rapidly
- Warts keep reappearing after removal
- Warts are painful or bleeding
- You have warts on your face, groin, or genital area
Doctors can prescribe stronger medications, freeze warts off with liquid nitrogen, or remove warts surgically. Seeking professional treatment is recommended for severe or resistant warts.
Conclusion
Based on available research, hot water soaks do not appear effective at shrinking or removing warts. The heat from hot tap water is insufficient to damage the viruses causing wart growth. However, hot water can temporarily soften the skin on warts to allow for easier removal. While simple hot water treatment is unlikely to get rid of warts, it may provide some minor benefits when combined with other home remedies like salicylic acid. Persistent, spreading, or painful warts may require medical treatment for removal.