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Overview
Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Among the most common are plantar warts, which appear over the pressure areas of the soles of the feet such as the heel and the ball of the foot. Plantar warts are caused by direct contact with HPV that enters the skin through small cuts and abrasions.
Diphenylcyclopropenone (DCP)/Acetone
DCP is a rare chemical that can stimulate immunity in the body, giving it the ability to fight off wart viruses. Treatment begins with painting a weak DCP solution onto a small spot on your patients forearm. It is important to keep this site covered and dry for 48 hours, then remove the covering and wash the area well. Most people – about 95 percent – become sensitised to the chemical in about two weeks.
Sensitisation is evidenced by a small, red rash on the spot where the DCP was applied. Once the body is sensitised, an even less concentrated solution of DCP is painted onto several or all of the warts. The chemical attracts wart-killing tissue and blood cells, which begin the process of making the area immune against the wart virus. It is not necessary to keep all the sites covered, but they should be kept dry, preferably overnight after treatment. Treatment will need to be repeated about once a week.
Squaric Acid / Dibutyl Ester (SADBE)
Squaric acid is used in a similar way to DCP to activate your immune system to help fight off the wart. It is recommended for patients who cannot tolerate liquid nitrogen treatments or for patients whose warts have failed to clear after multiple treatments with liquid nitrogen.
Podophyllum / Benzoin Tincture
Podophyllum should be applied directly to the wart daily. When the wart appears soft and spongy, leave it uncovered and let it drop off. |
