Though warts are harmless, they can be quite embarrassing. If you’re someone who believes in natural remedies, it’s time to try out these homemade solutions to remove warts. For most of us, warts are such an eyesore, and that’s probably why we are so desperate to remove them.

Warts are a fairly common skin issue and most people will have one at some point in their lives. These warts are caused by the human papillomavirus or HPV. They can be found on your fingers, hands, face, toes, elbows, knees, and sometimes, around your genitals.

They have a rough surface and can be either light or dark in color. Though these small lumps aren’t dangerous, they can be unsightly. In fact, if left untreated, warts can take up several years to disappear. Fortunately, there are various home remedies to treat warts.

But if you have genital warts, don’t try these remedies because the skin in that area is extremely sensitive. Here are some effective home remedies for warts:

1. Banana peels

Banana peels contain tanins, leukocyanidin and thymidin, which are bioactive compounds with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These components help to fight bacteria and viruses, which can help with the removal of warts.

Cut a piece of banana peel approximately the same size as the wart, and place it over the wart with the inner peel. Secure the banana peel with tape and keep it on overnight, being sure only to remove it in the morning. You can do this on a daily basis until the wart is gone.

2. Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is a potent, natural antiviral that can help to treat viral, bacterial or fungal infections. This makes tea tree oil a great option for treating skin HPV and removing warts.

To use tea tree oil, apply a drop directly on the wart twice per day, allowing it to soak into the skin for as much time as possible. When used for children or on sensitive skin, you should dilute the oil in a teaspoon of plant-based oil (like almond oil, coconut oil or avocado oil).

3. Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is an acidic substance that helps to chemically exfoliate the skin. This helps to remove excess skin around the wart, which is why it is commonly used as treatment for warts.

To use apply cider vinegar, soak a cotton ball in the vinegar and apply it over the wart over night. You can secure the cotton ball with a microporous tape.

This vinegar is very acidic and can cause skin irritation, therefore it is important to discontinue treatment if you notice redness or have discomfort. This treatment should not be used on your face.

4. Duct tape

Duct tape is a simple and easy way to remove warts naturally. It helps to remove dead skin cells and stimulates the immune system to eliminate the wart quickly. This treatment option is natural and recommended by the American Association of Dermatology.

To treat with duct tape, cover the entire wart with the tape and keep it on for 24 hours. If the tape falls off, it is important to put on another. You can keep the duct tape on the wart for 2 to 3 weeks, until the wart disappears.

When the wart becomes white and soft, you can pare it down with a nail file to remove the outer layer of skin. You should then cover the wart again with duct tape for another week, until it disappears.

To prevent contaminating other parts of the body or transmitting the virus to other people, be sure to keep the nail file for your own personal use.

5. Propolis extract

Propolis is a resin with antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains healing action. To gain benefits from propolis, apply 1 drop of this resin on the wart at night, then cover it with a microporous tape. Leave the wart covered and remove in the morning. Apply propolis on the wart on a daily basis until it resolves completely.

6. Nail polish

Clear nail polish, when applied directly on the wart, decreases the amount of oxygen that is reaching it. This causes cellular death in the area, which helps to get rid of the wart faster.

This treatment is not recommended by all dermatologists, however, which is why you should consult your doctor before applying duct tape over the wart.