Duct tape occlusion therapy

Duct tape occlusion therapy (DTOT) is a method of treating warts by covering them with duct tape for prolonged periods.

The manner in which duct tape appears to work is unclear.[1] The tape might create a macerating and keratolytic environment, stimulating an immune response.[1] The type of adhesive in the duct tape is likely to be important as leeching of the adhesive into the skin may be causing the immune system response.[2] Side effects can include skin irritation and peeling.[3]

There is mixed evidence that occlusive treatment with various types of duct tape is effective.[1] Clinical trials in 2012 concluded that no statistically significant difference between clear duct tape and placebo could be determined within the sample.[1] On health information websites, duct tape is referred to as a treatment with mixed evidence of efficacy, no good evidence or described as alternative medicine.[3][4][5][6][7]

Despite the mixed evidence for efficacy, the simplicity of the method and its limited side-effects leads some researchers to be reluctant to dismiss it.[8]

  1. ^ a b c d Kwok, CS; Gibbs, S; Bennett, C; Holland, R; Abbott (2012). "Topical treatments for cutaneous warts". Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 9 (9): CD001781. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001781.pub3. PMC 8101088. PMID 22972052.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Samlaska was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b "Warts and verrucas - Treatment". nhs choices. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
  4. ^ "Warts and Verrucas". patient.info. www.patient.info. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
  5. ^ "How to get rid of warts". American Academy of Dertmatology. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
  6. ^ "Warts and Verrucas". Bupa. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
  7. ^ Mayo Clinic Staff. "Plantar Warts". The Mayo Clinic. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
  8. ^ Stubbings, Alison; Wacogne, Ian (2011-09-01). "Question 3 What is the efficacy of duct tape as a treatment for verruca vulgaris?". Archives of Disease in Childhood. 96 (9): 897–899. doi:10.1136/archdischild-2011-300533. ISSN 0003-9888. PMID 21836182. S2CID 206853952.