Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Intralesional Vitamin D in the Treatment of Libyan Cutaneous Wart Patients
Tarek Alfetory
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Benghazi University, Benghazi, Libya.
Gamal Duweb *
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Benghazi University, Benghazi, Libya.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Warts are common viral infection of the skin, usually treated with destructive methods like electrocautery, cryotherapy or laser ablation. Topical vitamin D has been used to treat warts with variable success is to evaluate the efficacy of intralesional vitamin D3 linjection in the treatment of common warts.
Aim of the Study: To assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of intralesional injection of vitamin D3 in the Libyan patients with cutaneous warts.
Patients and Methods: The selected warts were injected first with 0.2 ml of lignocaine (20 mg/ml) then; after a few minutes, from 0.1 to 0.4 ml of Vitamin D3 (15 mg/ml) was injected slowly into the base of each wart with a 30-gauge-insulin syringe.
Results: The total number enrolled in the study was 36 patients and were equal number in gender. The age of < 18 years was 58.3%. Positive family history of the disease was reported in 47%, while atopy was in 75% of cases. Plantar warts were seen in 50% Palmar in 22% and common warts in 17%. A number of more than 2 lesions was reported in nearly 50% of the patients. A response to treatment was statistically significant and marked improvement and clearance was seen in 89% of cases. Plantar warts were cleared in 84%. Almost all cases of periungual cases were completely resolved. Adverse outcomes, including itching and pain were only observed in 25.0% of cases.
Conclusion: Intralesional Vitamin D is highly effective and relatively safe and well tolerate in the treatment of cutaneous warts and it could be a better choice for plantar and periungual warts, children and diabetic patients.
Keywords: Warts, vitamin D, intralesional, plantar, warts, Libya