The treatment of palmar and plantar warts using natural alpha interferon and a needleless injector.
BACKGROUND
The treatment of palmar and plantar warts is difficult and often frustrating. The need for multiple destructive treatments and recurrences after apparent cure are common.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine if intralesional natural alpha interferon might offer an effective alternative therapy for common plantar and palmar warts.


METHODS
A series of 22 private office patients with palmar and plantar warts were treated with intralesional natural alpha interferon using a needless injector. We treated twice weekly for a minimum of 8 weeks or until clear.


RESULTS
Sixteen patients (73%) showed complete clearing of their warts in a mean of 11 weeks of twice weekly treatment. Upon follow-up, which averaged 9.5 months, 17 of 21 patients (81%) remained clear of their warts.


CONCLUSIONS
Natural alpha interferon by needless injector appears to represent an effective alternative treatment for palmar and plantar human papillomavirus lesions. Further study of this modality is indicated.
Brodell
R T
RT
Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Rootstown, USA.
Bredle
D L
DL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000628:therapy*; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D007277:Injections, Jet; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014860:Warts / Q000628:therapy*
D016898:Interferon-alpha