Treatment of common warts with high-potency (26%) salicylic acid.

Treatment of common warts with topical keratolytic solutions is generally estimated to result in cure rates of 60% to 80% in 12 weeks. Problems with keratolytic solutions include irritation of surrounding normal skin and poor patient compliance. A product containing 26% salicylic acid in a novel polyacrylic vehicle was evaluated in 27 patients and found to cure or provide much improvement in 22 (81%) after only two weeks of treatment. This rapid response was accompanied by a low incidence of irritation. The results of this study suggest that high-potency salicylic acid promotes prompt resolution of warts, which may enhance patient compliance.