Apologies – I believed I had already posted this reply last week, but obviously not…
Having tracked down my colleagues from 10 years ago when the banana study was being conducted in Lambeth PCT, London, I was disappointed to hear that due to time constraints (and other factors) the study was not published. However I can report that the feeling of the lead podiatrist (a Research Fellow) was that it seemed as effective as salicylic acid. A shame it wasn’t published, then.
For those interested the technique is quite intensive for patients, but the effort was felt rewarding. The inside of the banana skin was applied directly to the lesion with a mask preventing contact with skin. Occlusive tape was felt important to avoid air getting to the banana skin. The dressing was changed twice a day and the treatment time was two weeks. The lesion was debrided weekly.
The composition of bananas was looked into and although they do contain acids there wasn’t anything that stood out as an agent. I do hope this may be of help.
With regard to Duct Tape there was an original study in 2002
http://archpedi.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=203979 , but two subsequent studies have found duct tape no more effective than placebo. Based on these findings the Cochrane Collaboration review in 2012 reported that duct tape was “this treatment is not as effective as first thought."
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001781.pub3/pdf/standard
If anyone were to ask the Cochrane authors if they were actually saying the “Evidence clearly shows it doesn't work” I think the answer may be along the lines of “Hardly”. Also, duct tape therapy remains a recommendation in the recently updated Primary Care Dermatology Society guidance on wart and remains on NHS Choices website where it is described a "limited evidence" on this basis.
Whilst it may be one round to duct tape, two rounds to placebo, it may be just a little too early to throw in the towel there may be another couple of rounds to go before it’s all over.
Seconds out...:boxing:
Best wishes, I hope this of use to the community.
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