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


OBJECTIVE
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.
Bhat
R M
RM
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Father Muller's Medical College Hospital, Kankanady, Mangalore, Karnataka State, India. muller@blr.vsnl.net.in
Vidya
K
K
Kamath
G
G
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003880:Dermatology / Q000379:methods*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005561:Formates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011677:Punctures; D012016:Reference Values; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014860:Warts / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
D005561:Formates; C030544:formic acid