Tape occlusion for wart removal

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Tape occlusion for wart removal

Tape occlusion is an inexpensive method of wart removal that involves covering the wart with tape. It is often called the "duct tape" method.

Cut a piece of adhesive tape as close to the size of the wart as possible.
Leave the tape in place for 6 days. If the tape falls off, put on a new piece.
After 6 days, remove the tape and soak the area in water. Then gently rub the wart surface down with an emery board or pumice stone. Leave the tape off overnight.
Repeat this process until the wart is gone, but not longer than 2 months.

One small study found that in 22 out of 26 people, common warts went away completely within 2 months. In most people, they were gone in 28 days.¹

References

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Citations
Focht DR III, et al. (2002). The efficacy of duct tape vs. cryotherapy in the treatment of verruca vulgaris (the common wart). Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, 156(10): 971–974.

Credits

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Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology
Last Updated	September 11, 2008

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Last updated:	September 11, 2008
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC

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