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

ABSTRACT

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.