Wart Home Treatment: Duct Tape Removes Warts

It binds up holiday packages, serves as a makeshift splint, fastens NASA equipment together, and seals air ducts. According to the October 2002 issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, duct tape has another use — removing warts.

Researchers at the Madigan Army Medical Center in Washington State reported that 85% of common warts could be completely resolved by applying common duct tape over a two-month period — compared with 60% of warts that were treated as many as six times with cryotherapy.

Participants in the Madigan study were 51 patients three to 22 years of age, most who had warts on the finger or foot. The participants were randomized to receive cryotherapy or occlusive therapy with duct tape. Cryotherapy consisted of 10-second applications of liquid nitrogen to each wart every two to three weeks for a maximum of six treatments. The other group applied small pieces of duct tape to each wart.

At the end of the study, the warts disappeared in 22 of the 26 participants in the duct tape group, as compared with 15 of the 25 participants treated with cryotherapy. The authors conclude that duct tape occlusive therapy is more effective than cryotherapy in the treatment of common warts. They also state that duct tape therapy is less expensive and has fewer adverse effects than cryotherapy.

To use duct tape as they did in the study, cut a piece that will just cover the wart. Stick it on and leave it there for six days. When you take the tape off, soak the area in water for a few minutes, then use an emery board or pumice stone to file away whatever dead skin has accumulated. Leave the wart uncovered overnight and apply a new patch in the morning. Repeat the procedure until you’re wart-free.