Based on 40 previous clinical trials researchers observed that the standard treatment for viral warts to be the best option. They say that topical treatments containing salicylic acid remain the treatment of choice for this common medical condition.
Viral warts are benign lesions of the skin that will usually clear up eventually on their own. Anyhow, warts that appear on hands or feet can cause social problems for people because those are on such visible parts of the body. Warts on the bottom of the feet or near finger-or toenails can be painful. Many treatments developed over the years have claimed to cure warts, but scientific evidence on their worth has been lacking.Researchers reviewed studies available on warts in an attempt to determine which treatments were most advantageous. Their analysis, however, showed many of the studies contained poor methodology and reporting, making answers hard to determine.
The best evidence in the collective studies pointed to salicylic acid, which has been used for years to treat the condition. Data pooled from the studies show a 60 percent cure rate. Researchers found no measurable benefit for any other common treatments, including cryotherapy, although treatment with the contact desensitizer dinitrochlorobenzene did show some positive effects. However, they say side effects associated with dinitrochlorobenzene, such as irritation and blistering, make it an unlikely replacement for salicylic acid. Simple topical treatments containing salicylic acid seem to be both effective and safe.
