Evaluation of different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide solution (3% and 6%) as a potential new therapeutic option of nongenital warts: A randomized controlled triple-blinded clinical trial.

BACKGROUND

Warts are common viral skin infections caused by human papillomavirus. None of the available treatment modalities fulfills the criteria of an ideal treatment option.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hydrogen peroxide (HP) 3% and 6% solution as a topical treatment of nongenital warts.

METHODS

This prospective randomized controlled study included 145 patients with nongenital warts. They were divided into three groups. Group 1 used topical hydrogen peroxide 6% solution under occlusion with a plastic tape for one hour daily for 6 weeks, group 2 used hydrogen peroxide 3% solution, and group 3 used normal saline 0.9% as a placebo. Patients were evaluated at the third and sixth weeks of treatment and 12 weeks after treatment completion.

RESULTS

Treatment responses were significantly better in groups 1 and 2 than in group 3 with a better overall responses in group 1 than in group 2 (P = 0.0001*). Apart from mild hypopigmentation which was detected in only two patients in groups 1 and 2, no other side effects could be detected. Three months after treatment completion, no recurrence was observed.

CONCLUSION

Hydrogen peroxide solution (3% and 6%) is an effective, safe, and cheap treatment modality for nongenital warts which can be used simply at home. Since the overall response was better with the 6% concentration, it should be the better therapeutic option.