From the Guidelines
Duck tape is not a recommended treatment for plantar warts, as it has insufficient evidence to support its effectiveness, according to the British Association of Dermatologists' guidelines 1. When it comes to treating plantar warts, there are several evidence-based options available.
- Salicylic acid (SA) is a highly recommended treatment, with a strength of recommendation of A, and can be applied topically in preparations of 15–26% SA, daily after removing the thick keratin layer, with occlusion if possible, for 3–4 months 1.
- Cryotherapy is another effective treatment option, with a strength of recommendation of B, which involves freezing the wart for 15–30 seconds, repeating every 2–4 weeks for at least 3 months or six treatments 1. Some key points to consider when treating plantar warts include:
- The importance of removing the thick keratin layer before applying topical treatments
- The need for occlusion to enhance the effectiveness of treatments like salicylic acid
- The potential for cryotherapy to be painful during and after treatment
- The availability of other treatment options, such as laser therapy, immunotherapy, and surgical removal, for more severe or persistent cases. It is essential to consult a healthcare provider if home treatments fail after 2-3 months, or if warts are painful, spreading, or if you have underlying health conditions like diabetes or immune system problems.
From the Research
Treatment Options for Plantar Warts
- Various treatments are available for plantar warts, including cryotherapy, salicylic acid, cantharidin-podophyllin-salicylic acid formulation, and duct tape occlusion 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- The effectiveness of these treatments varies, with some studies showing higher cure rates for certain treatments, such as cantharidin-podophyllin-salicylic acid formulation 4, 5
Duct Tape Occlusion for Plantar Warts
- One study compared the effectiveness of silver duct tape occlusion to cryotherapy in treating plantar warts in adults, finding that cryotherapy had a higher efficacy rate (58% vs 20%) 6
- However, the study suggested that duct tape occlusion may still be a practical and convenient alternative to cryotherapy in certain circumstances 6
- There is limited evidence on the use of duct tape for plantar warts, and more research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness 6
Comparison of Treatments
- A systematic review of topical treatments for plantar warts found that cantharidin-podophyllin-salicylic acid formulation had a high cure rate (97.82%), while cryotherapy and salicylic acid had lower cure rates (45.61% and 13.6%, respectively) 4
- Another study compared the efficacy of topical cantharidin-podophyllotoxin-salicylic acid to cryotherapy, finding that the topical treatment was more effective 5