Dithranol 2% in Zinc and Salicylic acid paste

Objective To compare the efficacy of 20% zinc oxide paste versus 15% salicylic acid-15% lactic acid combination in treatment of common viral warts.   Methods In this randomized controlled trial, 210 patients suffering from common warts for more than three months duration were enrolled. These patients were randomly divided into two groups A and B; having 105 each. Group A patients were treated with topical 20% zinc oxide paste, whereas group B were treated with 15% salicylic-15% lactic acid combination. Patients were instructed to apply medication for 15 minutes, let it dry and then rub the wart with an emery stone before the next application. Patients were reviewed monthly for a period of three months to examine the change in number and size of warts. Efficacy of treatment was defined as more than 50% decrease in size of common warts at the end of 3 months of therapy.   Results Efficacy was achieved in 65 (61.9%) patients of group B (15% salicylic acid-15% lactic acid combination) as compared to 48 (45.7%) patients group A (20 % zinc oxide paste), which was statistically significant (p< 0.05).   Conclusion Topically applied 15% salicylic acid-15% lactic acid combination is superior in efficacy to 20% zinc oxide paste in treatment of common viral warts.    

Abstract licence: CC BY 4.0

Topical therapy as monotherapy is useful in psoriasis patients with mild disease. Topical agents are also used as adjuvant for moderate-to-severe disease who are being concurrently treated with either ultraviolet light or systemic medications. Emollients are useful adjuncts to the treatment of psoriasis. Use of older topical agents such as anthralin and coal tar has declined over the years. However, they are cheaper and can still be used for the treatment of difficult psoriasis refractory to conventional treatment. Salicylic acid can be used in combination with other topical therapies such as topical corticosteroids (TCS) and calcineurin inhibitors for the treatment of thick limited plaques to increase the absorption of the latter into the psoriatic plaques. Low- to mid-potent TCS are used in facial/flexural psoriasis and high potent over palmoplantar/thick psoriasis lesions. The addition of noncorticosteroid treatment can also facilitate the avoidance of long-term daily TCS. Tacrolimus and pimecrolimus can be used for the treatment of facial and intertriginous psoriasis. Tazarotene is indicated for stable plaque psoriasis usually in combination with other therapies such as TCS. Vitamin D analogs alone in combination with TCS are useful in stable plaques over limbs and palmoplantar psoriasis. Topical therapies for scalp psoriasis include TCS, Vitamin D analogs, salicylic acid, coal tar, and anthralin in various formulations such as solutions, foams, and shampoos. TCS, vitamin D analogs, and tazarotene can be used in the treatment of nail psoriasis.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-SA