Using Tape to Remove Warts

Using a small piece of silver duct tape is a low-cost way to remove a wart.

1. Cut a piece of silver duct tape as close to the size of the wart as possible. Put the piece of tape on the wart. You can place a bandage over the tape to help it stay on.
2. Leave the tape in place for 6 days. If the tape falls off, put on a new piece.
3. After 6 days, remove the tape and soak the area in water.
4. Then gently file the wart with a disposable emery board or pumice stone. Make sure that you don’t use this item anywhere else on your body. The wart tissue you file off has the virus in it, so dispose of this dead skin carefully. And the stone or emery board you use will have the virus on it too, so throw it away after using it, to avoid spreading the virus.
5. Leave the tape off overnight.
6. Repeat this process until the wart is gone, but not longer than 2 months.

Covering a wart with tape may help it go away. But there isn't proof that using duct tape helps to clear up warts more quickly than leaving them alone.

Using duct tape for warts is probably safe. But if your skin is very thin or fragile, be very careful when removing the tape.

If you're not sure whether a skin growth is a wart, it's best to see a health professional.