From the Archives – I’m on holidays so I’m sharing some of the posts that you found most interesting or useful over the last 4 years.  

If you follow regularly, you know that we do a lot of myth busting and debunking of home remedies or urban myths. So, how about one that actually works?

Duct tape for warts.

Yes, for many common warts, it works as well as many standard therapies. Yes, doctors have tried it in clinical studies many times. No, we aren’t hiding it.

Why don’t talk about the specifics of what works when using this therapy and when it is a bad idea?

When is it a good idea? When you and GP agree that it is common wart with no other features that worry you/GP and GP doesn’t think it needs specialist attention or management. (Warning: not every lump is a wart)

What do you use? Duct tape, not gaffa/gaffer tape or other tapes.

What is it definitely NOT suitable for? Do NOT use on any warts located on the face, on edge of fingernails, or around genitals/anus. Not usually recommended if you have had previous other therapy for the same wart.

Who definitely shouldn’t try this at home without talking to GP?
Anyone with impaired immune system, diabetes, any chronic skin diseases, such as eczema or psoriasis, or allergy to adhesive tape.

In studies that showed it worked, how was this actually done?
A piece of duct tape, cut as close to the size of the wart as possible, is stuck onto the wart. Leave the tape in place for 6 days. If it falls off, put on a new piece of tape. At the end of the 6 days,remove the tape, soak in water, and then gently scrape the wart with a clean (not shared with anyone else) emery board or pumice stone. Leave tape  off overnight. Put on new piece the following morning. In studies, it was continued for as long as around 2 months or until wart is gone, whichever comes first. If nothing improved in 8 weeks, time to go back to GP for another idea.

What is the worst that can happen? Local irritation, redness, infection, pain, or burning. So, immediately stop and back into GP.