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Warts
Warts are a problem affecting up to 12% of the population. While they can appear anywhere on the surface of the body, they are generally benign and painless. Warts are a viral infection caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). More than 150 types of HPV have been isolated, and different strains of the virus are the cause of certain kinds of warts. HPV is transmitted through an open wound; additionally, the immune system must also be susceptible to the virus for a wart to develop.
There are several methods by which warts can be treated. Topical treatment is the most common option employed in wart removal. Cryosurgery involves exposing the affected area to liquid nitrogen to freeze it off. This method is successful about 50%-80% of the time, often requires repeat treatments, and can leave scars. Laser therapy and electrotherapy are also two other methods used to remove warts, but like cryosurgery, they can lead to scaring. An alternative therapy being used is immunotherapy, also called sensitization therapy.
The logic behind immunotherapy works similar to a vaccine. A sample of the allergen is applied to an area on the skin and in several days the body begins to respond to it. This is usually a mild reaction characterized with itching, swelling, and redness. Once the symptoms subside, the patient has built up immunity to the substance and the body begins to produce antibodies for it. The patient will then apply the same substance to a wart several times a week, leaving it on overnight. By reintroducing the allergen, the immune system recognizes it and immediately begins to rid the body of it. As the allergen is reapplied, the body soon identifies the wart as a foreign body and will build up an immune response to it and destroy it. So far in clinical trials immunotherapy has shown much promise in reducing the healing time and prevention of scarring.
Central Drugs recommends the following formulations for Warts:
Acyclovir 5% Ointment |
Cantharidin 0.7% Topical |
Cimetidine 10%/ Deoxy-D-Glucose 0.25% Cream |
Cimetidine 5%/ Deoxy-D-Glucose 0.2%/ Tea Tree Oil 10%/ PLO Gel |
Dinitrochlorobenzene 0.05% in Aquaphor |
Dinitrochlorobenzene 0.1% o 1.0% in Hydrophilic Petrolatum |
Diphenylcyclopropenone Solution |
Lactic Acid 10%/ Salicylic Acid 15% in Flexible Collodion |
Podophyllum 25% in Compound Tincture of Benzoin |
Podophyllum Resin 20% Ointment |
Podophyllum 20% Gel |
Podophyllum 1%/ Salicylic Acid 3% in Flexible Collodion |
Salicylic Acid 40% Ointment |
Salicylic Acid Compound Collodion |
Salicylic Acid 28% Polymeric Substrate |
Squaric Acid Dibutyl Ester 0.03% to 3.0% in Acetone |
Trichloroacetic 20% W/ W/ Salicylic Acid 60% W/W Topical Paste |
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