Though genital warts may clear up on their own, some over-the-counter (OTC) treatments may help provide relief and speed up the healing process.

Genital warts, also known as condylomata acuminate, are a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They can be quite common and appear as small bumps on or surrounding the genital area.

Some home remedies may help you find temporary relief from genital warts. However, they should not be treated as a substitute for medical treatment.

Read on to learn about several home remedies that may help with genital warts.

Getting rid of an external genital wart doesn’t mean that you have gotten rid of the HPV virus. Although rare, HPV can cause both genital warts and cervical cancer.

The virus that can cause genital warts can stay dormant in your body for a long time. So, even if you treat your warts at home and manage to get rid of them, they may return.

It’s important to contact a doctor about your warts even if you treat them at home.

Green tea has been shown to have antiviral and antifungal properties and may be effective in treating genital warts.

Ointments can be purchased OTC, where the green tea is concentrated into a compound. It can be applied topically to the wart.

There is an association between folate and B12 deficiency and an increased risk of contracting HPV.

Taking a multivitamin or folate and B12 supplements might help your body fight off an HPV infection and clear up warts.

Having genital warts puts a strain on your body. It can be difficult for your body to deal with any other health conditions along with warts.

To help your body heal faster, you try to avoid immune stressors like smoking or a diet that is heavy in processed or low nutrient foods.

Foods to incorporate into your diet include:

These foods can help boost your immune system and minimize the recurrence of HPV.

Foods to avoid include:

  • any possible food allergens (dairy, soy, corn, food additives)
  • refined foods like white bread and pasta
  • red meat
  • processed foods with trans fats
  • caffeine and other stimulants

There is no one standard treatment for genital warts that healthcare professionals agree on. Different doctors might use different treatments for genital warts, depending on the type of warts or how long you’ve had them.

Treatments may include:

  • taking medication
  • using creams or ointments
  • freezing the warts
  • removing the warts with lasers

No, toothpaste cannot remove genital warts. Toothpaste can do more harm than good to your skin, especially in your genital area. It may cause irritation to the skin.

For some people, genital warts may clear up on their own within six months. That said, it’s important to get treatment to speed up the process.

No, having HPV does not mean that you also automatically will have genital warts.

Some home remedies can help you find temporary relief from genital warts. However, it is important to remember that they do not eliminate the virus and should not be treated as a substitute for medical treatment. You should still see a doctor to check for and treat any sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that may be causing the warts.

If an STI is causing your warts, you may need additional medication to treat the condition and prevent passing the infection on to any sexual partners.