1.A randomized controlled study on the efficacy and safety of zinc oxide 20% ointment versus salicylic acid 15% + lactic acid 15% ointment in the treatment of patients with Verruca vulgaris in a tertiary hospital
Hazel C. Hao ; Daisy King-Ismael
Journal of the Philippine Dermatological Society 2021;30(1):12-18
Background:
Verruca vulgaris are scaly, rough papules or nodules caused by the human papilloma virus.
Objective:
To determine the efficacy and safety of topical zinc oxide ointment versus topical salicylic acid + lactic acid ointment
as treatment among patients with verruca vulgaris.
Methods:
This randomized, double-blind, 6-week study involved 29 patients with verruca vulgaris in a tertiary center who received zinc
oxide 20% ointment or salicylic acid 15% + lactic acid 15% ointment applied daily and occluded with LeukoplastTM tape. Evaluation was done
every two weeks.
Results:
There was significant decrease in number of warts in the zinc oxide group (p=0.004), while it was not significant in the
salicylic acid+lactic acid group (p=0.392). Comparison between the two groups was not significant (p>0.05). Both zinc oxide
(P=0.000) and salicylic acid+lactic acid groups (P=0.025) had significant decrease in size of warts from baseline to 6th week of
observation. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of adverse events such as erythema
(P>0.05), edema (P>0.05), tenderness (P>0.05), and scaling (P>0.05); however, itching was significantly higher at 4th week in the
salicylic acid+lactic acid group B (16.7%). Among the zinc oxide group, 100% would recommend the treatment, while only 71.4%
would recommend salicylic acid+lactic acid. The satisfaction levels of zinc oxide group were also statistically higher than
salicylic acid+lactic acid group (p=0.000).
Conclusion
Zinc oxide 20% ointment is a safe and effective option for the treatment of verruca vulgaris especially among patients
that would prefer non-traumatic measures in the removal of their warts.
Zinc Oxide
;
Salicylic Acid
;
Lactic Acid