EMed

Plantar Warts

Background

  • Human papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Commonest : Verrucae vulgaris - Hands, Verrucae plantares - feet
  • 60% resolve spontaneously in 2 years

Treatment

  • Destruction (cryotherapy, photodynamic treatment, pulsed dye laser)
  • Keratolysis (salicylic acid) is effective
  • Immunostimulation (dinitrochlorobenzene, interferons)
  • Antimitotic effects (bleomycin, fluorouracil).
    • Combination cryotherapy with another (salicylate) probably most effective
Plantar Wart

References

  • 1. Cockayne S, Hewitt C, Hicks K, Jayakody S, Kang’ombe AR, Stamuli E, et al. Cryotherapy versus salicylic acid for the treatment of plantar warts (verrucae): a randomised controlled trial. BMJ2011;342:d3271.
  • 2. Kwok CS, Holland R, Gibbs S. Efficacy of topical treatments for cutaneous warts: a meta-analysis and pooled analysis of randomized controlled trials. Br J Dermatol2011; online 11 January.
  • 3. Boull C, Groth D. Update: treatment of cutaneous viral warts in children. Pediatr Dermatol2011; online 26 April.

Content by Dr Íomhar O' Sullivan. Last review Dr ÍOS 12/04/23.