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
| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS | Last Updated: September 11, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology | |
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