Challenge your thinking on warts and verrucas
Understanding treatment options2,3
There are now a number of different treatment options available from the pharmacy that you should be familiar with to provide the best advice for your customers.
There is no antiviral treatment for HPV, so treatment is through destroying the infected epithelium and potentially kick-starting an immune response via chemical or physical means.
Click on each of the treatment options below to find out more.
| Physical | Chemical | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRYOTHERAPY | SALICYLIC ACID | FORMIC ACID | TRICHLOROACETIC ACID (TCA) | |
What it is |
Cryotherapy is a freezing method traditionally performed by GPs. Medical devices that allow patients to perform this technique in their own homes are available. Examples include liquid nitrogen and dimethyl ether propane (DMEP) gas mixture. Note: Cryotherapy may be available on the NHS so it is important to be aware of services available in your area A keratolytic compound that slowly destroys the virus A biodegradable, organic compound that is corrosive in itself. A corrosive acid-based solution |
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How it works |
Freezes the wart at sub-zero temperatures. Causes epidermal exfoliation so the skin layer and viral core are removed. Formic acid dehydrates and destroys the wart It acts to peel away the upper layer of the tissue on the wart/verruca |
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Application |
The freezing agent is briefly applied directly to the wart using a special device. Typically, cryotherapy is a one-off application that can be reapplied if needed. Most salicylic acid preparations are applied to the wart/verruca once a day at night and any residual film is removed before the next application. Once weekly the lesion should be filed down. Note: Some products may have different application instructions so it is important to check specific product information The solution is applied to the wart once a week and is absorbed directly into the wart. Over-the-counter TCA containing products are usually applied to the wart/verruca once weekly. Note: Some products may have different application instructions so it is important to check specific product information |
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Treatment time |
The wart usually falls off in 10-14 days Up to 12 weeks Usually 5-15 treatments needed (4-12 weeks) Usually 6-8 weeks |
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