Topical zinc oxide vs. salicylic acid-lactic acid combination in the treatment of warts.
BACKGROUND
Warts are a common dermatologic problem. Treatment is painful, prolonged, and can cause scarring.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate topical zinc oxide for the treatment of warts.


METHODS
This was a randomized, double-blind controlled trial of 44 patients. Twenty-two patients were given topical zinc oxide 20% ointment, and the other 22 received salicylic acid 15% + lactic acid 15% ointment twice daily. All patients were followed up for 3 months or until cure, whichever occurred first. All patients were observed for side-effects.


RESULTS
Sixteen patients in the zinc group and 19 in the salicylic acid-lactic acid group completed the study. In the zinc oxide-treated group, 50% of the patients showed complete cure and 18.7% failed to respond, compared with 42% and 26%, respectively, in the salicylic acid-lactic acid-treated group. No patients developed serious side-effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical zinc oxide is an efficacious, painless, and safe therapeutic option for wart treatment.
Khattar
Joe A
JA
Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. jkhattar@cyberia.net.lb
Musharrafieh
Umayya M
UM
Tamim
Hala
H
Hamadeh
Ghassan N
GN
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D020156:Salicylic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017193:Skin Diseases, Viral / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014860:Warts / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D009824:Ointments; D019344:Lactic Acid; D020156:Salicylic Acid; D015034:Zinc Oxide