Buzz
Warts are not only unsightly but also uncomfortable, and unfortunately, they are quite common. One of the most popular home remedies for treating warts (especially plantar warts) is the use of gray adhesive tape. In this method, the tape is applied to the wart for a period of time and then removed. This process is repeated until the wart is eliminated. The adhesive tape wart treatment, after being proven more effective than cryotherapy in a study by Focht and colleagues, has gained scientific credibility as an official treatment method. Despite some criticisms, there are still many claims that this treatment is very effective.
Steps
Clean the skin around the wart. This method requires you to tape the area around the wart for about a week each time. Before applying the tape, make sure to clean the wart and the surrounding skin to avoid trapping dirt or debris that could cause more warts on the skin surface.
Ensure the skin is completely dry. Just like you shouldn't leave dirt between the skin and the tape, you should also avoid applying the tape to damp skin. Moisture trapped on the skin can lead to irritation and, in rare cases, a fungal skin infection. Additionally, moisture will cause the tape to lose its adhesive strength and peel off. Make sure the skin is completely dry before applying the tape to ensure it sticks properly.
Apply duct tape to the wart. Cut a small piece of gray duct tape that is just large enough to completely cover the wart. Carefully place the tape over the wart and press it firmly onto the skin, ensuring it sticks tightly.
- Use standard gray duct tape. Clear tape is not as effective as the gray duct tape. Research has shown that clear tape is no more effective than fabric tape. This may be because the adhesive used in clear tape differs from that in gray tape, and this difference reduces its effectiveness in treating warts.
Leave the tape on the skin for about 6 days. The duct tape treatment for warts requires time to be effective—some cases may take up to 2 months. For the first 6 days, leave the tape in place. If the tape comes off, replace it as soon as possible.
- The exact mechanism of how duct tape therapy works to remove warts is still unclear. One hypothesis that many support is that the rubber-based adhesive in the gray duct tape irritates the skin and stimulates a localized immune response. This causes the immune system to inadvertently attack the human papillomavirus (HPV), which leads to abnormal cell growth (or warts).
Remove the duct tape at the end of day six. After six days, remove the duct tape to check the wart. If, at that point (or at any subsequent check), the wart seems to be irritated or worse than before, stop using the tape immediately and consult a general practitioner or a dermatologist.
Soak the wart in warm water for one minute. Use a soft towel to apply warm water to the wart or soak the affected area in a bowl, sink, or bathtub. Warm water softens the skin (and the wart) to prepare for the next step: cleaning the wart.
Gently remove the wart using a nail file, pumice stone, or another abrasive material. When you rub the wart with a mild abrasive tool, you are 'filing' off the dead tissue of the wart, a process known as "cleaning" (removing dead skin cells). Soaking the skin in warm water first will make this process easier. Stop immediately if you feel pain at any point.
- Once you have finished filing, soak the nail file, pumice stone, or other abrasive tool in a bleach and water solution. The wart tissue carries the HPV virus, which could transfer to the tools and potentially cause new warts. Therefore, it is extremely important to disinfect the tools after each use.
Leave the wart exposed overnight on the sixth night, then reapply duct tape the next morning. Let the skin dry and rest during the sixth night. However, be cautious not to touch, rub, or scratch the wart, as it can spread through contact. The following morning, apply a fresh piece of duct tape over the wart.
- Check the wart the next night. Observe if there is any improvement – has the wart shrunk? Has it flattened?
Continue the process until the wart disappears. Keep following the steps above: remove the tape every sixth night, wash, scrape the area clean, and let the skin rest, then reapply the tape the next morning. Over time, the wart will gradually fade. Don’t stop the treatment until you are absolutely certain the wart is gone. Be patient, as this method may take time. Focht and colleagues' initial study lasted approximately two months.
- If the wart does not improve after two months or appears to get worse, consult a doctor. This might be a case of a particularly stubborn wart. Fortunately, there are other treatments available to remove such warts, including salicylic acid therapy and cryotherapy.
Advice
- Research shows this treatment is more effective in children.
- If the wart shows no signs of improvement, you may want to try other therapies.
- Try to dry the affected skin before applying the duct tape.
Warnings
- This therapy may not be effective (some studies suggest it lacks effectiveness).
