European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

TOPICAL USE OF 10% POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE VERSUS 20% TRICHLOROACETIC ACID IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PLANE WARTS OF UPPER AND LOWER LIMBS: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

D. Hema, S. J. Swetha*, M. Karthik, Saai Ram Thejas and J. Sharanya

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Verruca, commonly known as viral warts are cutaneous manifestation of the human papillomavirus (HPV) has worldwide occurrence, affecting people of all ages and all races. Warts are most common on the hands and feet, but any skin site may be affected. Warts are well defined, raised lesions with smooth or rough surface causing pain or tenderness with significant morbidity for the patients. Human papillomavirus infection may be clinical, subclinical or latent. Plane Warts occur mostly in children and young adults. Both Potassium Hydroxide and Trichloroacetic Acid are potent keratolytic agents commonly used in the management of Warts in general practice. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted over a period of 12 months from October 2020 to September 2021. 120 cases of cutaneous plane warts of the upper and lower limbs presenting to the Department of Dermatology at a Rural Hospital in South India were included in the study. 60 patients in Group A were treated with 10% KOH and 60 patients in Group B were treated with 20%TCA once a week application for 12 weeks. After completion of the treatment, clinical resolution of the warts was analyzed. Participants were categorized as complete responders, partial responders and non- responders. Observations and Results: Out of total 120 patients, 20 were excluded as they developed some form of side effect or lost follow up. 61 patients had an excellent response (34 in Group A and 27 in Group B), 21 patients had a good response (13 in Group A and 08 in Group B) and, 13 patients had a satisfactory response (03 in Group A and 10 in Group B) and 05 patients had poor subjective response (0 in Group A and 05 in Group B). Conclusion: In our study, 10% KOH was found to be better than 20% TCA in the management of common warts on the upper and lower limbs. The number of cases showing complete response in the KOH group was 8% better than TCA.

Keywords: Plane Warts; Trichloroacetic Acid; Potassium Hydroxide; Human papillomavirus.