Is Duct Tape Able to Remove Warts?

You hear of a bizarre home remedy every once in awhile. Why? Why? Because no one would think otherwise.

It's one of these times.

You should consider applying duct tape to a wart on your child or yourself. Seriously. This home remedy is not only effective, it's affordable.

Are you skeptical? You won't believe us. You might find it a little strange. Melissa Piliang MD is a dermatologist. She explains why it works and what types of warts can you use it with.

How to Remove a Wart with Duct Tape

This is how duct-tape can be used to occlude your body.

• You can cut a strip of duct tape so it fits comfortably on top of the wart.
• You can make the whole process much more enjoyable for both children and adults if you choose a bright color or pattern of duct tape.
• Cover the wart with tape and let it sit for five days.
• It is possible for the duct tape to fall off occasionally.
• If that happens, you should replace the item as soon possible.
• Day five: Remove tape and soak wart in warmwater. Use a piece or pumice stone, an emeryboard, or sandpaper to scrape off any excess wart. Because it is affordable, Dr. Piliang suggests using sandpaper.
• You can trim it down to your desired size, and then throw it away after use without feeling as though you have wasted money.
• You can leave the wart exposed overnight (between 10 and 12 hours).
• Apply a second piece of tape to the wart, and then start over. The process will be repeated many times, usually for four to six weeks. There are two ways to double your chances of success!
• Dr. Piliang says that duct tape can be used in conjunction with other over-the-counter remedies like 20%-40% salicylic acid Gel.
• Each treatment can be time-consuming and may not work for you. Things could be moving faster if they are done together.

Duct Tape is Effective in Killing Warts

Ever notice how your skin appears odd after being wrapped in a bandage? Dr. Piliang says that duct tape also has the same effect.

She explains that duct tape can make warts' skin dry, pale, and wrinkley. It is a very strong adhesive, so if you remove it you will likely lose a layer of the wart.

Experts believe that the adhesive in duct tape could trigger an immune reaction, which may speed up healing. Other experts note that many warts heal themselves. While it doesn't do anything to stop the virus spreading, it can prevent it from spreading.

Which Warts can Duct Tape be used on?

Occlusion with duct tape is not an effective way to treat certain warts that are located on specific parts of the body. Don't use duct tape if:

• You will find your wart near the mucous membranes of your face, nose and eyes. It is extremely sensitive skin and can tear.
• Periungual and subungual warts are under or around your nails . Although duct tape can be magical, it is not magical.
• Genital warts are a condition that affects the genital area. Genital warts are caused by HPV strains. Cervical cancer can be also result from HPV strains. It doesn't matter if you have a cervix, or not. You want to be treated quickly so that you don’t infect others.
• There are plantar warts, or the warts of your foot. Our feet have a tough skin. Duct tape will likely be less effective than usual and it is likely that the tape will fall apart a lot.

Side Effects

The scene where the hero tears the tape from the lips of the kidnapped dude is a classic movie scene. The dude that was kidnapped never seems thrilled. Now, imagine yourself doing this to yourself.

It's less painful than freezing warts, but it doesn't mean that ripping off duct tape is easy. It could cause severe skin irritation if you are allergic to duct tape or have sensitive skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. It could even cause severe contact dermatitis, which can be fatal if the materials used in ducttape are allergic.

The most frequent side effects of duct-tape occlusion are, perhaps, skin irritation.

If you have an unfinished wart, what should you do? Duct tape can be used to treat warts, but it is not fast. You can actually expect to wait weeks for the duct tape obstruction method. You might even have to wait months.

Dr. Piliang says, "If the wart remains after 2 months, then it is probably time for you to talk to your doctor to discuss other treatment options like laser or freezing."

How to See a Doctor

Duct tape occlusion's goal is to prevent a visit to the doctor. However, this is not always possible. Call the doctor if you:

Two months later, the wart remains. This may indicate that it is time for other treatments.

There are multiple warts. Although it treats the wart, duct tape occlusion doesn't cure the underlying virus. You may need to consider treating the virus.

A condition that could make you immunocompromised such as diabetes. You could contract the virus and get worse without knowing it.

The pain is real. Although it is not uncommon, many warts do not cause pain. You may have a different type of skin condition if you are experiencing pain.

It appears infected. It should be reddened and filled with puss, cracking, and bleeding. It is possible that the wart may be infected. This fluid can allow the virus to spread to other areas of your skin.

A wart's color is changing. A wart changing color should be treated the same as a mole. Make an appointment immediately with your doctor.

This is affecting your daily activities. Do you find it difficult to walk? Do you avoid going out due to how you look? Are you experiencing itching that is becoming too much? Put down the duct tape, and grab the phone. This is not something you have to do by yourself.