What should you know about wart removal plasters?

A medicated plaster creates close contact between the active ingredient and the wart. With time, the treated surface may soften, peel or look pale. The covering can also reduce rubbing from shoes, although it should not be used to hide a lesion that has not been diagnosed.

Different plasters vary in shape, ingredients and wear time. A wart on a finger, toe or sole may need careful positioning so the adhesive does not irritate a crease or healthy skin.

Clean and dry the area before applying the plaster, then centre the medicated section over the wart. Follow the package or clinician's replacement schedule, keep the surrounding skin protected, and wash your hands after removal. Avoid cutting the wart or sharing towels, socks, shoes or nail tools.

Ask for professional advice before using a medicated plaster if you have diabetes, poor circulation, reduced sensation, fragile skin or reduced immunity. These conditions can make irritation harder to detect or healing slower.

Get prompt medical advice for spreading redness, heat, pus, fever, worsening pain, persistent bleeding, significant swelling or numbness. Arrange assessment if the mark changes colour, becomes an open sore, or does not behave like the wart you were told it was.

Ask whether a plaster is appropriate for the location, how to protect nearby skin, how often to change it, and what level of peeling or tenderness is expected. Ask when to stop and which treatment can be considered if the wart persists.