13.7 PREPARATIONS FOR WARTS AND CALLUSES

13.7 Preparations for Warts and Calluses

13.7 Preparations for warts and calluses

All warts are self-limiting and eventually disappear spontaneously. Salicyclic acid preparations are useful but may cause

irritation of the treated area.

First line

GREEN Salactol® paint (contains salicylic acid 16.7%, lactic acid 16.7% in colloidon)

Second line

GREEN Salicylic acid 50% ointment (Verrugon®)

GREEN Salicylic acid 26% polyacrylic solution (Occlusal®)

Third line

GREEN Formaldehyde 0.75% gel (Veracur®)

GREEN Glutaraldehyde 10% solution (Glutarol®)

Salicylic acid with lanolin

Salicylic acid softens keratin and makes scales easier to remove and is appropriate for use in patients requiring a keratolytic

product without a steroid component Indications for use include psoriasis, eczema, keratodermas, viral warts, callosities

NB This commercial product is no longer available.

For Secondary Care there are salicylic acid containing specials approved via the

'Specials Recommended by the British Association of Dermatologists for Skin Disease'

Anogenital warts

Imiquimod cream (Aldara®) is licensed for the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinomas (specialist use only). It is also

used for actinic keratosis and external genital warts in adults

GREEN Podophyllotoxin 0.15% cream (Warticon®)

AMBER Imiquimod 5% cream (Aldara®) - (external genital warts and actinic keratosis)

RED Imiquimod 5% cream (Aldara®) - (superficial basal cell carcinoma)

[Only to be prescribed by skin cancer specialists or a suitably qualified GP with specialist interest (GPwSI) with demonstrable clinical

skills and competencies, training and experience]

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