Plantar wart

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Relative effectiveness of treatments

A 2006 study assessed the effects of different local treatments for cutaneous, non-genital warts in healthy people. The study reviewed 60 randomized clinical trials dating up to March 2005. The main findings were:

• overall there is a lack of evidence (many trials were excluded because of poor methodology and reporting).
• the average cure rate using a placebo was 27% after an average period of 15 weeks.
• the best treatments are those containing salicylic acid. They are clearly better than placebo.
• there is surprisingly little evidence for the absolute efficacy of cryotherapy.
• two trials comparing salicylic acid and cryotherapy showed no significant difference in efficacy.
• one trial comparing salicylic acid and duct tape occlusion therapy showed no significant difference in efficacy.
• evidence for the efficacy of the remaining treatments was limited.

Prevention

• Avoid walking barefoot in public areas such as showers, communal changing rooms. (Covering with an adhesive bandage is not a safe method as it will not last for long at all, especially while showering or swimming)
• Change shoes and socks daily.
• Avoid sharing shoes and socks.
• Avoid direct contact with warts on other parts of body.
• Avoid direct contact with warts on other persons.

References

1. ^ Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;(3):CD001781. PMID 12917913
2. ^ Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006;(3):CD001781. PMID 16855978 [2]
3. ^ BMJ. 2002 Aug 31;325(7362):461. PMID 12202325
4. ^ Plantar Warts, Treatment [3] (Mayo Clinic)
5. ^ Warszauer-Szwarc L.Treatment of plantar warts with banana skin. Plast.Reconstr.Surg 1981. 68; 975-6. PMID 7301999
6. ^ Cutaneous Warts: An Evidence-Based Approach to Therapy. American Family Physician 2005;72(4):647-52. PMID 16127954

External links

1. Mayo Clinic
2. Advice from UK Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists
3. Warts, The Merck Manual
4. Plantar Wart photo library at Dermnet

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