Does Duct Tape Work for Wart Removal?

It’s no fun having a wart. Most warts, which are caused by a virus, eventually go away on their own, although they can look unsightly and can be uncomfortable if located in an area that receives a lot of friction. Even more frustrating is the fact that warts can sometimes take months or years to resolve. For this reason, a variety of home remedies have been developed to help get rid of warts faster. One of the most popular is the use of duct tape for wart treatment. This procedure involves completely covering the wart with duct tape for a week. After a week the duct tape is removed and the wart is soaked and filed down with an emery board. The duct tape is then reapplied for another seven days. This process is repeated until the wart is completely gone.

How Does It Supposedly Work?

It’s thought that the process of applying duct tape and filing down the wart gradually removes tissue and allows the immune system to more easily destroy the wart. Drawbacks to this method? The process of applying, filing, and reapplying the duct tape is time intensive and requires some commitment on the part of the person with the wart and the area can sometimes become irritated from the duct tape.

Is It Really Effective?

Unfortunately, a recent study published in Archives of Dermatology calls into question the use of duct tape for wart treatment. This double blind study involving ninety participants failed to show any significant difference in the rate of wart resolution between those who used duct tape and those who didn’t. Unfortunately, using duct tape for wart treatment may not be as effective as previously thought.

What Other Options Are There?

Because of the safety and ease of using duct tape for wart removal, this method may be worth a try despite the study results. Another option that’s safe for home use is salicylic acid which can be purchased at a drugstore. Applying salicylic acid softens the wart and allows it to slough off, although it usually needs to be reapplied several times. Cases that fail to resolve with home treatment can be frozen in a doctor’s office using liquid nitrogen – a procedure known as cryotherapy. Several treatments may be needed for complete wart removal.

The Bottom Line

Duct tape for wart removal doesn’t appear to be as effective as salicylic acid for wart removal. Stick with the salicylic acid for better results.