The Efficacy and Safety of Superficial Chemical Peel in the Treatment of Plane Wart

Abstract

Background and objectives: Treatment of plane warts is problematic, methods such as cryotherapy and cauterization is associated with high recurrence rate beside the risk of scar, pain and high cost. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness and safety of salicylic acid 30% superficial chemical peels in comparison with glycolic acid 70% solution in treatment of Plane wart. Methods: Sixty patients with plane wart were included in this comparative therapeutic trial. The patients have been divided randomly in two groups, group-A (30patients); have been treated by 30% salicylic acid solution while group-B (30 patients); have been treated by glycolic acid 70% solution. The full therapeutic session was six (6) and the solution was applied fortnightly. The response to the treatment was assessed every 2 weeks by counting the number of lesions. Results: After completion of the 6 sessions there was a significant decrease in the number of the warts in group A patients compared to group B, group-A; mean number of lesions before treatment was 43.9± 30.78 and after treatment was 15.6± 7.9 while in group B; mean number of lesions before treatment was 38.0 ±33.0 and after treatment, it was 17.85 ± 20.32. There was statistically a significant reduction in number of lesions in group A. Conclusions: Salicylic acid 30% solution can be more successful and safely used for the treatment of plane wart than glycolic acid 70% solution by the dermatologist. Salicylic acid 30% solution in comparison with glycolic acid 70% solution can induce more rapid response and fewer side effects.