Further treatment options for warts and verrucas in children
Tape
A recent study found that covering a wart with strong adhesive tape is likely to clear the wart within a month or two. (Duct tape was used in the study.) In this study, about 7 in 10 warts had cleared within two months with using duct tape. It may be worth a try as it is painless. However, further studies are needed to clarify the role of this treatment. The method described in the study was:
- The wart was covered with duct tape for six days. If the tape fell off during this time a fresh piece of tape was put on.
- After six days, the tape was removed and the wart soaked in warm water for five minutes. After drying it was then gently rubbed with an emery board or pumice stone to get rid of dead tissue from the top of the wart.
- The wart was then left uncovered overnight and duct tape put on again the next day.
- Treatment was continued for up to two months. (Note: most warts that cleared with duct tape did so within 28 days.)
Some experts advise that you should not use duct tape on the face as in some people it can irritate the skin.
Other treatment options
A podiatrist or chiropodist can pare or rub down a verruca. This is often enough to ease any pain, even though part of the verruca may still remain.
If the above treatment options do not clear warts then other methods may be tried. There are various ways that can 'cut out' or 'burn' warts, but they are usually only done by specialists if other treatments have failed. Some treatments (such as laser treatment) are not available on the NHS to treat warts and verrucas.
What about swimming?
A child with warts or verrucas should go swimming as normal. Warts can be covered with waterproof plasters. A verruca can also be covered with a waterproof plaster but some people prefer to wear a special sock which you can buy from pharmacies. It is also a good idea to wear flip-flops when using communal showers as this may reduce the chance of catching or passing on virus particles from verrucas.
© EMIS and PIP 2006 Updated: November 2006 PRODIGY Validated
Average rating:
Sam, over 2 years
My daughter had two verrucas on her big toe which were very painful, i tried a treatment that cost a fortune and did nothing and then i was told about the duct tape, to my amazement it worked within a week the verrucas had started to go and by two weeks no one would have known she had ever had them.
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