Wart Treatments

There are many different treatments and procedures associated with wart removal. One review of 52 clinical trials of various cutaneous wart treatments concluded that topical treatments containing salicylic acid were the best supported, with an average cure rate of 75%, compared with 48% for the placebo in six placebo-controlled trials including a total of 376 participants. The reviewers also concluded that there was little evidence of a significant benefit of cryotherapy over salicylic acid or duct tape. This drug is expensive, USD $200–300 per vial.

Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), like salicylic acid, this is applied directly to the wart. Studies showed this method was effective with a cure rate of 80% compared to 38% for a placebo. But DNCB must be used much more cautiously than salicylic acid; the chemical is a known mutagen, able to cause genetic mutations. So a physician must administer DNCB. This drug induces an allergic immune response resulting in inflammation that wards off the wart-causing virus.
Fluorouracil, which inhibits DNA synthesis, is being used as an experimental treatment. It is applied directly to the wart (especially plantar warts) and covered (for example: with tape). This treatment is combined with the use of a pumice stone, but tends to work very slowly.
Salicylic acid can be prescribed by a dermatologist in a higher concentration than that found in over-the-counter products. Examples include a topical solution marketed by Elorac, Inc. under the trade name Durasal.

Procedures

Keratolysis, removal of dead surface skin cells usually using salicylic acid, blistering agents, immune system modifiers ("immunomodulators"), or formaldehyde, often with mechanical paring of the wart with a pumice stone, blade etc.
Electrodesiccation
Cryosurgery, which involves freezing the wart (generally with liquid nitrogen), creating a blister between the wart and epidermal layer, after which the wart and surrounding dead skin falls off by itself. An average of 3 to 4 treatments are required for warts of thin skin. Warts on calloused skin like plantar warts might take dozens or more treatments.
Surgical curettage of the wart;
Laser treatment - often with a pulse dye laser or carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser. Pulse dye lasers (wavelength 582 nm) work by selective absorption by blood cells (specifically haemoglobin). CO₂ lasers work by selective absorption by water molecules. Pulse dye lasers are less destructive and more likely to heal without scarring. CO₂ laser works by vaporizing and destroying tissue and skin. Both laser treatments can be painful, expensive, and can cause scarring. CO₂ lasers will require local anaesthetic, while pulse dye laser might need conscious sedation. It takes 1 to 4 treatments.
Injection of Candida, mumps, or Trichophyton antigens at the site of the wart, which stimulates the body's immune system. While the drug is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to test the immune system, it is not yet approved as an effective wart treatment.

Over-the-counter

There are several over-the-counter options. The most common ones involve salicylic acid. These products are readily available at drugstores and supermarkets. There are typically two types of products: adhesive pads treated with salicylic acid or a bottle of concentrated salicylic acid solution. Removing a wart with salicylic acid requires a strict regimen of cleaning the area, applying the acid, and removing the dead skin with a pumice stone or emery board. It may take up to 12 weeks to remove a wart.

Another product available over-the-counter that can aid in wart removal is silver nitrate in the form of a caustic pencil, which is also available at drug stores. This method generally takes three to six daily treatments to be effective. The instructions must be followed to minimize staining of skin and clothing.

Cryosurgery, or Cryotherapy devices using freon refrigerants are inexpensive. A disadvantage is that the sponge applicator is too large for small warts, and the temperature achieved is not nearly as low as with liquid nitrogen. Complications include blistering of normal skin if excess freezing is not controlled.

Tagamet has also been shown to work in the removal of warts. While the exact mechanism is unknown, it is thought to heighten the state of the immune system and 'alert' the body about the wart. It seems to work better on flat warts than others. Research has shown both positive and negative results as to its effectiveness, the most being 80% effective while ingesting 30 mg/kg/day from 6–8 weeks.

Duct tape occlusion therapy

Duct tape occlusion therapy (DTOT) involves placing a piece of duct tape over the wart(s) for six days, followed by soaking the area in water and scraping it with a pumice stone or emery board. There is conflicting evidence as to whether or not DTOT is an effective wart therapy.

The study cited above had 9 patients lost to the follow-up from the original 61 patients entered. In contrast to the flaws (15% of subjects lost to the follow-up) and favorable results of the above study, a more stringent study of 103 children found no benefits from transparent duct tape. The evaluators were blinded during treatment for the most part, a placebo (corn pad) was used and there were no patients lost to the follow-up. After six weeks, rates of wart resolution were similar in the duct tape and corn pad groups and much lower than the rates seen in the earlier trial.

A similar trial comparing duct tape with a control treatment with a moleskin pad in 90 adults also found no difference in the rate of wart resolution at the end of two months (21 versus 22 percent). However, the median age in this study was 54 years, and transparent duct tape was used, which contains no rubber found in the standard gray variety.

Wart Treatments

Procedures

Over-the-counter

Duct tape occlusion therapy

Further Reading

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