How to Use Tea Tree Oil for Warts

Co-authored by Kaveri Karhade, MD and Kyle Hall

Last Updated: June 29, 2024 Approved

If you have warts somewhere on your body, you’re probably eager for them to disappear. Caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), warts can be contagious and unsightly. Fortunately, there's some scientific evidence to suggest you can use tea tree oil at home to treat your warts. By regularly using tea tree oil, you may be able to shrink or eliminate warts on your body.

Things You Should Know

Treat body warts by washing the skin before applying a drop of tea tree oil with a cotton swab; bandage the wart and repeat the process twice daily.
For facial warts, mix tea tree oil with aloe vera gel and apply it with a cotton swab, bandaging the wart and repeating the process once a day.
You can also mix tea tree oil with a carrier oil and massage the mixture into your scalp, letting it sit overnight before rinsing in the shower and repeating daily.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Treating Body Warts

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Pat the area dry with a towel.^{[1]
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2
Use a clean cotton swab to apply a drop of tea tree oil to the wart. Use pure, undiluted tea tree oil.^{[2]
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- Tea tree oil has been known to cause contact dermatitis and skin irritation for some people.^{[3]
  X
  Research source} If you have sensitive skin, buy diluted tea tree oil or dilute it yourself using aloe vera gel, jojoba oil, or honey.
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A bandage will help keep the tea tree oil from rubbing off while you're sleeping or going about your day.
Apply the tea tree oil once before bed and once in the morning for convenience. You may begin to see a reduction in the size of the wart after three days, or it could take almost two weeks to see any difference.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Tea Tree Oil on Facial Warts

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1
Mix together equal parts tea tree oil and aloe vera gel. You can find bottled aloe vera gel at your local drug store. Any kind of aloe vera gel will work. Stir the mixture thoroughly.
- Although aloe vera gel is not scientifically proven to eliminate warts, some people find that its thicker consistency helps keep the tea tree oil from running off the face.
2
Apply the oil/aloe mixture to the wart using a clean cotton swab. Use enough of the mixture that the entire wart is coated with the oil and aloe. Apply the mixture at night if you're worried about going out in public with oil on your face.
- Never apply tea tree oil around your mouth. Tea tree oil is poisonous if ingested and can cause serious side effects like dizziness, confusion, and vomiting.^{[4]
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Remove the bandage when you wake up in the morning and rinse off any leftover oil mixture on your face.
It could take 12 days or more for the wart to disappear. If you don't see results after 12 days, you may need to try a wart removal product from your local drug store or visit a doctor to have the wart professionally removed.^{[5]
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5
Mix 5 drops of tea tree oil with 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) of a carrier oil. Common carrier oils you can use are almond oil, coconut oil, and olive oil. Mix the two oils together thoroughly.
- There's no evidence that carrier oils help treat warts, but some people find they make applying tea tree oil to the scalp easier and less harsh.
Use your fingers or a cotton swab to get the oil mixture onto the wart.
Make sure the whole wart is covered with the mixture.
Wear a sleeping cap so the oils don't rub off on your pillow while you sleep. Rinse off any leftover oil in the shower when you wake up.
This could take 12 days or longer. If after 12 days the wart hasn't decreased in size, look for a wart removal product at your local drug store or visit a doctor to have the wart removed.^{[6]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

How does tea tree oil help with warts?

Kaveri Karhade, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Kaveri Karhade is a board certified Laser, Medical, and Cosmetic Dermatologist in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her areas of expertise are acne and hair loss. She has advanced training in injectables, lasers, surgery, and other cosmetic treatments, and has published extensive research in medical journals. She holds a BS from Michigan State University and a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the University of Michigan Medical School. She completed her internship in Internal Medicine at New York University School of Medicine and her Residency in Dermatology at Brown University School of Medicine. Dr. Karhade is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Kaveri Karhade, MD

Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

Tea tree oil might exhibit some antifungal and antiviral properties, which would theoretically help with warts. Your results may vary, though.

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Question

Is tea tree oil safe to use on your skin?

Kaveri Karhade, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Kaveri Karhade is a board certified Laser, Medical, and Cosmetic Dermatologist in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her areas of expertise are acne and hair loss. She has advanced training in injectables, lasers, surgery, and other cosmetic treatments, and has published extensive research in medical journals. She holds a BS from Michigan State University and a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the University of Michigan Medical School. She completed her internship in Internal Medicine at New York University School of Medicine and her Residency in Dermatology at Brown University School of Medicine. Dr. Karhade is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Kaveri Karhade, MD

Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

Some people find it beneficial and they have no problems whatsoever. Other people find it irritating to the skin. It's going to depend on your skin and allergies. This is generally why I don't recommend people doing this without consulting a dermatologist first.

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Warnings

Never ingest tea tree oil or use it around your mouth. Tea tree oil is poisonous if swallowed and can cause serious side effects including dizziness and vomiting.^{[7]
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Trustworthy Source

U.S. National Capital Poison Center
Independent poison control center providing resources to prevent poisonings and save lives

Go to source}

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