Topical formic acid puncture technique for the treatment of common warts.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Warts are a common chronic skin disorder that can be cosmetically disfiguring and, depending on the location, cause inhibition of function. The presence of dozens of topical and systemic treatments for warts is a testament to the lack of a rapid, simple, uniformly effective, inexpensive, nonscarring, and painless treatment.

AIM:

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of 85% formic acid application, an inexpensive therapy, for the treatment of warts.

METHODS:

A placebo-controlled, nonrandomized, open trial was performed in 100 patients with common warts attending Father Muller's Medical College Hospital, Mangalore. Fifty patients received 85% formic acid application and 50 patients received placebo (water) using a topical application/needle puncture technique every other day.

RESULTS:

Ninety-two per cent of patients who received formic acid application showed complete disappearance of warts after a 3-4-week treatment period, compared to 6% in the placebo group.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results show that 85% formic acid application is a safe, economical, and effective alternative in the treatment of common warts with few side-effects and good compliance. A multicenter trial is needed to examine the efficacy and safety of this treatment.

• Authors: R M Bhat, K Vidya, G Kamath
• Journal: International journal of dermatology (Int J Dermatol) Vol. 40 Issue 6 Pg. 415-9 (Jun 2001) ISSN: 0011-9059 [Print] England
• PMID: 11589750 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Formates
• formic acid

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Child
• Dermatology (methods)
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Formates (administration & dosage)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Punctures
• Reference Values
• Treatment Outcome
• Warts (diagnosis, drug therapy)