Duct Tape: An Effective Treatment for Warts

If you feel a rough or hard presence beneath your foot, it’s likely you have a wart. Warts require medical attention because they develop from a virus. Furthermore, warts are contagious. You definitely do not want to be spreading them further on your body. Although harmless, they still should be treated. To compare, a wart can disappear within two to three years without treatment, and within three months with treatment.

Studies have shown that duct tape can get rid of warts, and is effective as medicinal treatments. However, even today the efficacy of duct tape is still questioned based on the mixed results in the studies conducted. Many children aren’t comfortable with liquid nitrogen diets, which is why using duct tape is useful if a child has a wart.

To effectively treat your wart:

• Cut a strip of duct tape about the size of a bandaid. This step will help in the wart’s disappearance as it will not be exposed to sun or air.
• Within a week, remove the duct tape and wash that area, clearing it of any wart tissue that died. Let your foot be for the night, and after the area is dry, then apply the duct tape once more.
• Apply over-the-counter medicine once a day, preferably one with 17% of salicylic acid.
• Following up once or twice a week, use a pumice stone or a washcloth to rub off the dead skin. Removing the dead wart can be easier if you soak your foot in water for 10 minutes prior to rubbing the wart off.

How does duct tape draw out a wart?

Duct tape is a means to kill off the wart by “suffocating” it when placed directly on the wart. The lack of oxygen causes the wart to die. Additionally, pulling off the duct tape and applying it continuously can allow for the dead skin to come off more easily, allowing the wart to maintain a somewhat normal appearance.

How to treat a wart on the sole of the foot?

If your treatment at home does not work with the duct tape method, consider the following by consulting with your doctor:

• Salicylic acid: by applying salicylic acid, you can strengthen your immune system to fight off warts. More importantly, applying the acid will help peel layers of the wart bit by bit. Ask your doctor if you’re able to do this along with prescribed wart medication.
• Cryotherapy: also known as freezing medicine, which involves the application of liquid nitrogen by spraying it on the wart or through a cotton swab. This required frequent visits to a doctor, but will help remove the wart within a month.

Can nail polish be used for wart removal?

Although not recommended over treatment by health professionals, it is still a feasible option. The nail polish application to the wart is a similar concept to the duct tape method where by applying it and letting it dry, the nail polish creates a hard coat and cuts off oxygen supply to the wart. However, some health professionals state that this is merely a placebo effect. We recommend consulting your doctor or health expert on treating warts.

What is the best DIY wart removal secret?

There are quite a few things that work for removing warts. Duct tape has been discussed in this blog, and so has salicylic acid, both of which are effective treatment methods. However, consider apple cider vinegar as well. This product is able to burn away at the wart and attack the virus causing it. If you apply apple cider vinegar to the wart overnight by a cotton pad, it can very well go away in weeks.

What causes plantar warts?

The cause of plantar warts come from the human papillomavirus (HPV). They are typically found on the soles of your feet and where you bear most of your weight. We all come into contact with HPV at some point, yet only some of us develop warts. Cuts or breaks in the skin make people susceptible to the virus, as well as weakened immune systems. During the COVID-19 pandemic especially, it’s important to maintain social distance and take precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.

Does it hurt to have a wart removed?

Using the tricks and tips listed above should result in no pain at all. However, in severe cases, if all else fails, then surgery may be required. In this case, cutting away at the wart can be painful, but the foot is usually numbed prior to treatment. Overall, it is not normal for a wart to hurt while being removed.

How to get rid of warts on my fingers fast?

Here are a few ways to get rid of the warts on your fingers:

• Salicylic acid
• Duct tape
• Over-the-counter or prescribed medication for warts
• Cryotherapy
• Photodynamic therapy (exposure of aminolevulinic acid for around 3-8 hours)
• Apple cider vinegar

What is the safest way to cut off warts?

The most dangerous way to do it is by doing it yourself and without consultation with a health expert. You risk an infection by cutting off the wart, or even scarring can be a consequence. If this is a last resort, see a professional and they will cut off the wart for you. Surgical removal of warts involves cutting, and this goes to show how big of a deal it is to cut off warts. In conclusion, take the advice of your doctor when it comes to cutting off warts.

If you are suffering from Plantars Warts, contact Mobility on Mainway. Our Burlington foot clinic will assess your situation and provide you with a proper treatment plan. We serve Milton, Hamilton, Waterdown, Oakville, and Burlington to help you with all your foot needs. Call us at 289-245-6624.