Fact Check: Can Warts/Skin Tag Be Removed in Just 2 Days with Natural Ingredients?

An Instagram post claims that warts can be removed in just 2 days by using slaked lime (Chuna) and baking soda. The claim is False.

Claim

The reel posted by the Instagram user ai.pure_health claims that warts/skin tags can be removed in just 2 days by using slaked lime (Chuna) and baking soda. The reel states, "This ₹1 remedy can completely eliminate warts/skin tags from the root—in just 1 minute! You just need to take half a teaspoon of slaked lime (the one used in betel leaves). Then, add half a teaspoon of baking soda to it. Finally, add two to three drops of water and mix it well. Now, apply this mixture only on the wart. Within just 2 days, the wart will dry up and fall off without you even noticing."

The post has 184,469 likes and can be accessed here.

Fact Check

The claim is False. There is no proven evidence that slaked lime and baking soda can remove warts or skin tags in 2 days. For safe and effective treatment, it’s best to seek medical advice instead of relying on unverified remedies.

What are warts?

Warts are benign skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They are highly contagious and can develop at any age, though they are most commonly seen in children and teenagers. These growths form when the virus enters the skin through small cuts or abrasions, leading to excessive cell production that thickens the outer skin layer.

Although most warts are harmless and often resolve on their own within weeks or months, some may cause discomfort, such as itching, tightness, or pain, particularly when located on the soles of the feet. Additionally, some warts may contain tiny black or brown specks, which are actually clotted blood from broken capillaries beneath the skin.

What are Skin Tags?

Skin tags are benign, soft skin growths that commonly develop on the neck, eyelids, and underarms. They may be the same colour as the skin or appear darker, and if irritated, they can turn pink or red. These small growths typically form in areas where friction occurs, such as where the skin rubs against itself, clothing, or jewellery. Common locations include under the breasts, on the neck, eyelids, groin, and underarms. Individuals with diabetes, metabolic syndrome, or a genetic predisposition are at a higher risk of developing skin tags.

What are the Health Benefits of Slaked Lime and Baking Soda?

Limestone (CaCO₃) is a naturally occurring industrial mineral that is widely used across various industries. Its primary component is calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). One of the most important uses of limestone is in the production of lime (CaO), which is obtained by calcining limestone—a process where limestone is heated at high temperatures to drive off carbon dioxide (CO₂).

When lime (CaO), also known as unslaked lime or quicklime, is mixed with water, it undergoes a chemical reaction called slaking, resulting in the formation of slaked lime (Ca(OH)₂.

Slaked lime (calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)₂) plays a significant role in enhancing calcium intake, particularly in regions where it is used to fortify (adding extra nutrients) staple foods like rice. Calcium is essential for bone health, growth, and development, and adequate intake helps prevent and manage conditions like rickets, a disorder caused by calcium deficiency.

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, breaks down into carbon dioxide, water, and salt when used. The carbon dioxide gas it releases causes dough to rise quickly, making it a popular ingredient in baking bread and cakes. Additionally, it enhances athletic performance by helping the body balance acidity levels and reducing muscle fatigue. It also plays a role in lowering bad cholesterol and blood sugar while boosting good cholesterol. For individuals with kidney disease, baking soda can slow disease progression and support better nutritional health. Moreover, it helps cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy by alleviating symptoms like nausea and diarrhoea.

Can Warts/Skin Tag Be Removed in Just 2 Days by Using Slaked Lime (Chuna) and Baking Soda?

Studies show that slaked lime boosts calcium intake when added to staple foods like rice, while baking soda helps balance acidity, reduce muscle fatigue, and support heart health, but there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to support the claim that warts/skin tag can be removed in just 2 days by using slaked lime and baking soda.

A study in the Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine found that Kaalaani Kalimbu is a well-known Siddha cream used to remove hard skin, warts, corns, and skin tags through chemical cauterization. It contains limestone, arsenic trisulfide, copper sulfate, mercuric perchloride, lead sulfide, and beeswax. The study mentions limestone, which is the compound used to produce slaked lime (calcium hydroxide), but it does not directly refer to slaked lime itself. The study also highlights chemical cauterization, a process that involves strong and potentially harmful chemicals, which should not be used by the general public without medical supervision.

Another study in the Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research tested a mixture of sodium bicarbonate and castor oil (1:1 ratio) on warts after cutting them at the base. The results showed that sodium bicarbonate has anti-wart properties, possibly because it makes the affected area too alkaline for the human papillomavirus (HPV) to survive, grow, and spread. But, the study does not confirm that sodium bicarbonate alone can completely remove warts after application.

These studies do not mention any direct role of slaked lime or baking soda in removing warts or skin tags within 2 days. Additionally, there is no medical consensus within the medical community supporting the claim that applying lime and baking soda can achieve this result in 2 days.

Dr. Priyanka Kuri, Consultant Dermatology, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru, told Medical Dialogues, "Many patients use slaked lime and baking soda to remove warts, but both are irritants that can burn the skin, causing redness, peeling, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The concentrated mixtures seen online can be especially harmful. Instead, dermatologists perform safer medical treatments like radiofrequency cautery, which effectively removes warts with minimal scarring. Using slaked lime and baking soda is strongly discouraged to prevent skin damage and long-term marks."

Dr. Prateek Chauhan, MBBS, MD (Dermatologists, Leprologists), Ultra Health Skin Clinic, Delhi, added, "Applying slaked lime and baking soda to warts can cause skin irritation, burns, and pigmentation issues. While home remedies are popular, they may do more harm than good, especially when used in concentrated forms. It's always best to consult a dermatologist for safe and effective wart removal, rather than risking unintended skin damage with unverified treatments."

Medical Dialogues Final Take

While slaked lime and baking soda have various health benefits, there is no reliable basis to support the claim that they can remove warts or skin tags within 2 days. Warts and skin tags require proper medical treatment, and using home remedies without guidance may cause skin irritation, burns, or complications. It is always best to consult a doctor before trying any treatment for skin concerns.

Hence, the claim that warts/skin tags can be removed in just 2 days by using slaked lime and baking soda is False.