How to Remove a Wart Using Epsom Salts or Daffodils

Co-authored by Eric McClure | Medically reviewed by Jennifer Boidy, RN

Last Updated: May 10, 2022 References

A wart is a skin growth that is caused by a benign virus in the top layer of your skin. Warts are typically not a cause for concern, but they can be embarrassing. Many people want to get rid of their warts because they are unsightly or simply annoying. Your doctor can remove your warts, and there are also several over-the-counter medications you can use to treat the problem. If you’re looking for home remedies, there are several things you can try. However, Epsom salts and daffodils may not be the solutions you’re looking for, so read on to learn more.

Question 1 of 8:

Can Epsom salt kill warts?

Nobody knows for sure, but it may help get rid of them. A number of people have had success using Epsom salt baths to treat warts. There isn’t any research on it, but Epsom salts are typically harmless for most folks, so it’s worth giving this a shot if you haven’t had success with other treatments.^{[1]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- Epsom salts are a popular home remedy for a variety of skin conditions and issues, but it’s possible that they don’t do much of anything at all. There just isn’t a ton of research on this one.^{[2]
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Question 2 of 8:

How do I use Epsom salt to kill warts?

Mix some Epsom salts into warm water and soak the wart for 10 minutes. If the wart is on your foot or hand, get a large bowl or bucket and fill it with warm water. Then add a small amount of Epsom salts to the water. The package should tell you the correct amount of salts to add depending on how much water you are using. Soak your hand or foot for roughly 10 minutes.^{[3]
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Research source} Do this twice a day to see if it helps with your wart at all. It may not, but at least it should be relaxing!^{[4]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- If you like, you can fill your bathtub with Epsom salt water and soak your entire body. A lot of people find this soothing and relaxing!
- The water should be warm, but comfortable. You don’t want it to be so hot that it hurts your skin!

Question 3 of 8:

Are Epsom salts safe for treating warts?

Yes, so long as you don’t have an open wound or infection. Most people find Epsom salts to be soothing, and there aren’t any serious risks for most people. However, if you have an open wound, infection, or severe inflammation, talk to a dermatologist before you use Epsom salts. It may be okay, but it’s worth checking first.^{[5]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- Epsom salts are poisonous if they’re ingested, so don’t drink water with Epsom salts in it, and keep the salty water away from your mouth and nose.^{[6]
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  Research source} Some people believe that drinking Epsom salts are good for constipation, but there’s no evidence it’s actually safe or healthy to do this.^{[7]
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  Cleveland Clinic
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- Epsom salts can be a skin irritant for a small number of people. If your skin starts bothering you after you soak it in Epsom salts, just rinse your skin and avoid the treatment in the future.^{[8]
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Question 4 of 8:

Will daffodils shrink a wart?

There is no evidence that daffodils will do anything for your wart. Daffodils have been recommended by folk healers for a variety of medical conditions throughout history, but there’s just no evidence it will do anything for your wart. While Epsom salts might help, it doesn’t appear that daffodils are going to do anything productive for your skin. In fact, it’s likely to do more harm than good.^{[9]
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National Health Service (UK)
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Question 5 of 8:

Are daffodil-based treatments safe?

No, and you’re better off skipping this one for safety reasons. Daffodils are more likely to irritate your skin than cure your wart. These flowers happen to be one of the most common triggers for dermatitis, so you may just cause a skin reaction if you rub daffodils on your wart.^{[10]
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Research source} On top of that, the bulbs of daffodils are poisonous if you ingest them. Since there’s no evidence a daffodil-based wart treatment will work anyway, there’s just no reason to try this one.^{[11]
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- There are a lot of treatments out there that are effective and safe, so you really don’t need to start chopping up daffodils to get rid of your wart.

Question 6 of 8:

What’s the best treatment for warts?

1
Salicylic acid is probably the most efficient solution. Salicylic acid may sound scary, but it’s a pretty simple and easy treatment. Just buy any wart treatment cream that contains salicylic acid and follow the instructions to apply it to your skin. Typically, you just soak your skin in warm water for 10 minutes or so and then exfoliate the area with an emery board or pumice stone. You put a small dollop of the acid on your wart and then let it be!^{[12]
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American Academy of Dermatology
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- There are also bandages out there with salicylic acid pre-soaked into the cotton pad if you want to hide the wart while you’re treating it.
- If you’re looking for natural options, rest assured that salicylic acid is a naturally-occurring compound!^{[13]
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- Eventually, the acid will shrink the size of the wart and it the affected skin will peel away on its own.
2
You can use a freeze spray treatment to kill it off. Warts tend to shrink when they’re cold, and you can pick up a freeze spray from your local pharmacy to treat the wart. Just follow the instructions on the box to apply the cooling spray to your skin. Over time, the wart will shrivel up and fall off.^{[14]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
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- These freeze sprays are part of a treatment known as cryotherapy. If you go to see a dermatologist to have the wart professionally removed, this is how they’ll do it.
- Do not attempt to freeze the wart off with an ice cube! It won’t work, and you’ll just irritate your skin.
3
Try duct tape if you want a 100% chemical-free option. This one sounds silly, but it works! Get a tiny strip of duct tape and lay it over the wart. Leave it in place for 2-3 days and then peel the tape off of your skin. Clean the area with soap and water, and apply a new bit of tape once you’ve dried the skin. Over time, the wart should peel away in layers.^{[15]
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American Academy of Dermatology
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- It’s unclear why this works, but enough people have had success with it that it’s considered a solid option.

Question 7 of 8:

How do I know I have a wart?

The size, color, and texture should make it easy to tell. Warts often appear on your hands or feet. They often have tiny black dots. If you have a small, grainy growth that does not go away after a few days, you likely have a wart. Warts are very common and almost never bring a risk to your health. Warts most commonly appear on the palm of your hands or your fingers.^{[16]
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National Health Service (UK)
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- Warts will often go away on their own, but many people choose to remove them for cosmetic reasons.
- See your doctor if the growth is painful, or if you aren't certain that it is a wart.

Question 8 of 8:

Can you prevent warts?

To a degree, yes. Warts are caused by a strain of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Although uncommon, warts can be spread from one person to another. An effective way to prevent warts is to avoid touching someone with a wart. Warts commonly appear near broken skin, such as a break that results from a hangnail. Avoid biting your nails or picking at your skin to minimize the odds you get a wart.^{[17]
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National Health Service (UK)
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- Because warts are caused by a virus, one way to avoid them is to take steps to boost your immune system. Get lots of rest and make sure that you stay hydrated and eat a healthy diet

Expert Q&A
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Question

Can the area be washed after a liquid nitrogen application, and how long should I wait to wash it?

Jennifer Boidy, RN
Registered Nurse
Jennifer Boidy is a Registered Nurse in Maryland. She received her Associate of Science in Nursing from Carroll Community College in 2012.

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After this procedure, medically known as cryosurgery, it is important to follow the instructions given to you by your healthcare provider and then to direct any questions/concerns that you have to him or her. In general, after cryosurgery, you will need to cleanse the area with a mild cleanser and cool water, pat dry with a lint-free cloth, and apply any ointment recommended by your doctor. Avoid applying any other creams/serums/treatments on the area for 7 to 10 days, unless it has been approved by your doctor. It is okay to get the area wet while bathing, but in general, you should avoid swimming and hot tub use for at least one week after the procedure or while the skin is still open.
Question

How do you treat a wart on the face using Epsom salt?

Jennifer Boidy, RN
Registered Nurse
Jennifer Boidy is a Registered Nurse in Maryland. She received her Associate of Science in Nursing from Carroll Community College in 2012.

Jennifer Boidy, RN

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

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Currently, there is no research to support the effectiveness of Epsom salt to remove a wart and there is little information even anecdotally (other people's experiences). You may want to try forming a paste of Epson salt by moistening, and then applying it to the wart and then covering the wart with gauze and a bandage. My recommendation is to try an over the counter wart treatment or consult with your physician first.

Warnings

Visit a doctor if the wart is discharging pus, bleeding, or if it becomes painful. Any change in the size or color of the wart should also be checked out.^{[18]
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If the wart does not respond to self-treatment or you want it permanently removed, visit a doctor to explore your options.^{[19]
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