Treatment of warts by keratolysis
Keratolysis is the removal of dead surface skin cells and is a treatment for several types of wart. The most common keratolytic treatment of warts available over-the-counter involve salicylic acid. These products are readily available at most drugstores and supermarkets. There are typically two types of products: adhesive pads treated with salicylic acid, or a bottle of concentrated salicylic acid. Removing a wart with this method requires a strict regimen of cleaning the area, applying the salicylic acid, and removing the dead skin with a pumice stone or emery board. It may take up to 12 weeks to remove a stubborn wart.
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[edit] Formulations
Some formulations are:
- alcoholic solution containing glycerol
- collodion which dries to a celluloid film / Duofilm
- simple ointment
- absorption ointment
- oil in water cream
The amount of salicylic acid reaching the wart varies substantially depending on the formulation used[1]. Brands in the UK include Bazuka (Dendron), Scholl (SSL International), Compound W, Cuplex gel, Duofilm (Stiefel), Occlusal (Alliance), Salatac Gel, Salactol Paint, and Verrugon (Ransom).[1][2]
[edit] Molecular basis of therapeutic effect
- Salicylic acid reaches warts; lactic acid and collodion do not[2]. Therefore, these additional components have only an indirect role in therapy.
- The molecular structure of the skin is altered at the centre of the wart[3].
- Experiments indicated that salicylic acid bonding within the human papillomavirus-containing verruca tissue is more likely than simple acid dissociation upon dissolution in water within the tissue[4].
[edit] Complications
Some cases of allergic contact dermatitis have been observed when using collodion formulations[5]. This was found to be due to rosin in the collodion.
[edit] References
- ^ J Drug Target. 1998;5(5):343-51. PMID 9771616
- ^ Int J Pharm. 1999 Oct 25;188(2):145-53. PMID 10518670
- ^ Dermatol Clin. 1990 Jan;8(1):143-6. PMID 2302853
- ^ "Bazuka extra strength gel". Netdoctor. http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100003659.html. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
- ^ Nathan, Alan (2010-06-17). "Verrucas". Non-Prescription Medicines. Pharmaceutical Press. p. 286. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=lW-0IoSYMBYC&pg=PA286.
[edit] External links
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