Observations placeholder
Warts and zinc oxide ointment
Identifier
006967
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
Int J Dermatol. 2007 Apr;46(4):427-30. Topical zinc oxide vs. salicylic acid-lactic acid combination in the treatment of warts. Khattar JA, Musharrafieh UM, Tamim H, Hamadeh GN. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. jkhattar@cyberia.net.lb
BACKGROUND: Warts are a common dermatologic problem. Treatment is painful, prolonged, and can cause scarring.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate topical zinc oxide for the treatment of warts.
METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind controlled trial of 44 patients. Twenty-two patients were given topical zinc oxide 20% ointment, and the other 22 received salicylic acid 15% + lactic acid 15% ointment twice daily. All patients were followed up for 3 months or until cure, whichever occurred first. All patients were observed for side-effects.
RESULTS: Sixteen patients in the zinc group and 19 in the salicylic acid-lactic acid group completed the study. In the zinc oxide-treated group, 50% of the patients showed complete cure and 18.7% failed to respond, compared with 42% and 26%, respectively, in the salicylic acid-lactic acid-treated group. No patients developed serious side-effects.
CONCLUSION: Topical zinc oxide is an efficacious, painless, and safe therapeutic option for wart treatment.
PMID: 17442091