Efficacy of Duct Tape vs Placebo in the Treatment of Verruca Vulgaris (Warts) in Primary School Children

Abstract

In a 6-week trial, duct tape had a modest but nonsignificant effect on wart resolution and diameter reduction when compared with placebo in a cohort of primary school children.

A Practical Approach to Warts in the Emergency Department

“…A study of this therapy found favorable results when compared with more aggressive cryotherapy, 30 whereas a more recent study found no statistically significant benefit when compared with placebo. 31 Methodological issues have been raised about both studies 32,33 ; the no-benefit study was small and may lack the power to exclude a benefit if one exists. In any event, this method has minimal side effects and is an attractive option for children in the ED.…”

British Association of Dermatologists' guidelines for the management of cutaneous warts 2014

“…In a trial involving 100 children randomly allocated to either duct tape over the wart or a ring-shaped corn pad around the wart, 16% of warts cleared in the treatment group compared with 6% in the placebo group. 126 In a study of 90 adults treated with the same tape, again applied weekly for up to 8 weeks, and compared with adhesive-backed moleskin padding, clearance rates were approximately 20% in both groups. 127 Although these studies have not confirmed a definite effect of occlusion on warts, there is the possibility that an effect may occur in children.…”

Update: Treatment of Cutaneous Viral Warts in Children

“…Eighty-five percent (22 ⁄ 26) of the patients using duct-tape therapy had complete resolution of their warts compared to 60% (15 ⁄ 25) of patients receiving cryotherapy after 2 months of therapy (p = 0.05). More rigorous blinded controlled follow-up studies by de Haen et al (12) and Wenner et al (13) of children and adults, respectively, found no statistical benefit of duct tape over placebo. Notably, silver duct tape was used by Focht, and clear duct tape was used by the de Hean and Wenner groups.…”