# Wart removal. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 10, 2002, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wart-removal/141727 "2002-12-10T06:32:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wart-removal/141727/1 "2002-12-10T06:32:28Z")
Before coming up here, I didn’t have any skin imperfections on my hands… a month later, a wart appeared. Tonight, after noticing that some of it was starting to lose its grip on my knuckle, I attempted to pull it off with my fingernails. I stopped when it _really_ started to bleed, then noticed it was about halfway up, tried to stop the bleeding, put some ointment over the area, and trapped it under a couple of strategically placed bandaids for the night. I dunno if I’m going to make a secod attempt with my bare hands or just try to cut it off with a razor or some scissors or something. Either way, it’s got to go 'cause it’s ugly and it’s annoying and it’s a little painful too. Any suggestions??? -Indigo- ---
**Author:** ![Freyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freyr/32/5763_2.png) [@Freyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freyr)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wart-removal/141727/2 "2002-12-10T07:04:07Z")
Raw onion juice. Chop up about a 1/4 cup of onion and squish it really well. Take the juice and apply it directly to the wart. Do this once a day for several days. ---
**Author:** ![Bob55](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Bob55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob55)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wart-removal/141727/3 "2002-12-10T07:09:11Z")
Here’s what I did to my last wart: 2 vials of Compound W - no effect 3 months of 100% Tri-Chloro-Acetic Acid - slight effect, lots of bleeding Cutting wart out after using TC-Acetic Acid - worked for a bit, but the wart returned Duct Tape on wart 24/7 - very impressive, painlessly removed most of the wart and skin 5 minutes of liquid Nitrogen after using Duct Tape for a few days - seemed to put the nail in the coffin You need to remove the root of the wart to prevent it from returning, if you have access to liquid Nitrogen I highly recommend this method. The Compound W and TC-Acetic Acid seem to just cause more bleeding than wart removal. Also, give the Duct Tape a go, leave a little square of it on the wart 24/7 for a few days, then cut away the dead skin and add more Duct Tape. Keep using it until you’re down to the root, then it should cut out rather easily since the skin will die under the tape. I saw studies that said Duct Tape was more efficient than even liquid Nitrogen. Once the wart is gone, keep an eye on it, they like to reappear. ---
**Author:** ![DarrenS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@DarrenS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarrenS)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wart-removal/141727/4 "2002-12-10T07:25:55Z")
Bob55 - if this works, I will marry you! (actually I’m hetero…but you get the idea). I’m getting covered with the little bleeders (pun intended). I’m going to try the wonderful Duct Tape. I searched Google and a number of reputable sources seem to say there’s something in this: [http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=Duct+Tape+warts](http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=Duct+Tape+warts) ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wart-removal/141727/5 "2002-12-10T07:46:37Z")
The only wart I ever killed was about 15 years ago. A constantly repeated covering of clear nail polish did the trick. It just seemed to wither away. Best wishes …those warts are nasty buggers ---
**Author:** ![ultress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/7c8e57/32.png) [@ultress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultress)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wart-removal/141727/6 "2002-12-10T12:36:20Z")
I used the duct tape method when it first came out in the news. Duct tape on for six days, take off and scrub the area, reapply duct tape if needed and repeat process for up to 2 months if needed. Mine was gone after two 6 day sessions. It worked. I guess depending on the deepness of the root of the wart will determine the number of times you have to apply the tape and repeat. ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wart-removal/141727/7 "2002-12-10T13:59:08Z")
I used duofilm, a prescription medicine like a strong compound w to removeone on my finger. I ripped the one on my nostril out. Had to do that a few times before I got it all. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wart-removal/141727/8 "2002-12-10T14:02:30Z")
Dr. Scholl’s makes a wart-removing band-aid kinda thingie. It kills the virus that causes warts, and it’s painless, but it takes awhile. I think I’d rather use those, than duct tape and liquid nitrogen and a carving knife. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wart-removal/141727/9 "2002-12-10T14:26:11Z")
Does duct tape work on plantar’s warts? I’ve got a cluster of three on my heel that don’t bother me (because I have thick callouses on my heel) except that I don’t want warts. ---
**Author:** ![CRorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CRorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CRorex)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wart-removal/141727/10 "2002-12-10T17:10:27Z")
Just stick a bandaid on the wart (if it bothers you) then wait for the infection to go away. ---
**Author:** ![Feynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@Feynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feynn)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wart-removal/141727/11 "2002-12-10T17:14:25Z")
I have a client who has plantars warts and he was getting regular applications of canthone, a very powerful salicylic acid solution. He told me that duct tape was equally effective as it prevents the wart from “breathing” and eventually kills it off. ---
**Author:** ![Judith\_Prietht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@Judith\_Prietht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Judith_Prietht)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wart-removal/141727/12 "2002-12-10T17:15:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by PunditLisa \* > \*\*Does duct tape work on plantar’s warts? I’ve got a cluster of three on my heel that don’t bother me (because I have thick callouses on my heel) except that I don’t want warts. \*\* If you like, I’ll join you in a little experiment to test the worthiness of duct tape and the plantar warts on the ball of my foot. Plantar warts are a bitch and a half. I’m always tempted to dig them out, but I’m afraid of spreading them all over the place, and have resorted to liquid nitrogen to get rid of them in the past. My sister had a cluster of about 20 on her foot (I believe she gave them to me when she borrowed a pair of my shoes) and they resolved themselves spontaneously. She is now happily wart-free. Until I steal her shoes for a little payback. ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wart-removal/141727/13 "2002-12-10T18:29:36Z")
I just read my OP and realized how masochistic my actions last night sounded…:eek: the farcker is ugly, and I was bored and noticed it was starting to come up on its own… I think I’m going to try the clear nail polish route and see if it works. Now I have to go find my clear nail polish. Best wishes to all the others who are plagued with a wart or two… -Indigo ---
**Author:** ![David\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/51bf81/32.png) [@David\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_B)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wart-removal/141727/14 "2002-12-11T04:51:26Z")
Um, did anybody ever consider suggesting _going to the doctor_? Just a thought. As far as some comments on the thread so far. **lee** said: > [@](#): > > I used duofilm, a prescription medicine like a strong compound w to removeone on my finger. It’s available non-prescription. I just bought some for my son yesterday. **CRorex** said: > [@](#): > > Just stick a bandaid on the wart (if it bothers you) then wait for the infection to go away. BAAAAD idea. They can be contagious, both to yourself in other spots and to other people. I had plantar’s warts on my feet for the better part of a decade (thought they were calluses – hey, I never claimed to be a doctor). Finally I saw a doc and he couldn’t believe his eyes. It took many, many liquid nitrogen treatments to get rid of 'em all. Can’t comment on the duct tape method yet. My son’s nurse is supposed to be sending us info in the mail, but I haven’t gotten it yet. ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wart-removal/141727/15 "2002-12-11T13:53:00Z")
Warts are the result of a virus that is common on skin, even if you have no warts you likely have that virus on or in your skin. They can be contagious, but they you already likely have the virus anyway. Putting a bandaid and ignoring the wart may be an affective method, although recent studies, yes scientific studies, show that duct tape may be more effective than traditional treatments like freezing them off. It is not safe to ignore warts when they involve structures more complicated than a patch of skin, Such as around nails and nail beds, on the bottom of your foot, near the mouth, etc. [http://www.octanecreative.com/ducttape/dtnews.html](http://www.octanecreative.com/ducttape/dtnews.html) Warts do often fall off on their own, but often they don’t. ---
**Author:** ![beagledave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@beagledave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beagledave)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wart-removal/141727/16 "2002-12-11T15:08:41Z")
FWIW…I was at my doctor the other day for an unrelated issue. I mentioned a wart I’ve had trouble getting rid of and she suggested the duct tape method. (She mentioned that they could burn it off…I guess with liquid nitrogen). I’m currently trying that method. ---
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wart-removal/141727/17 "2002-12-11T19:41:42Z")
When I was very young I had several warts removed by witchcraft. Just a thought. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wart-removal/141727/18 "2002-12-11T20:09:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by PunditLisa \* > \*\*Does duct tape work on plantar’s warts? I’ve got a cluster of three on my heel that don’t bother me (because I have thick callouses on my heel) except that I don’t want warts. \*\* I had one on the underside of my big toe. I tried the brush on salicic acid for two months, and all it did was burn off the top layer of the wart. I then tried the Doctor Scholl’s patches (which have much higher acid content) and it was gone in less than a week, and hasn’t come back in the two years since. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wart-removal/141727/19 "2002-12-11T20:35:58Z")
Thanks for the advice, elfkin, but I think it’ll be a pain to walk around with those little patches on my heel. I’m going to take Judith Prietht up on his offer to conduct a simultaneous duct-tape experiment. Davidb, been to the doctor last go around when they were on my big toe and hurt like a mother. Took ~4 months to finally get rid of them. I’m off to find the duct tape. ---
**Author:** ![DaToad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@DaToad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaToad)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wart-removal/141727/20 "2002-12-11T21:33:50Z")
When I was young, my mother removed some warts from my wrist. She put a 1/4" thick slice of raw potato over them, wrapped it with a strip of cloth to hold it in place, and left it on over night. After she did this for three or four nights the warts turned black and fell off. They never came back. I gave this remedy to a lady in my office and it worked for her too. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wart-removal/141727.md?page=2)