Warts: frequent spontaneous clearance.

Common and plantar warts are frequent and benign but can be a source of discomfort. In a randomised trial, 49% of patients with common warts were cured with cryotherapy after 13 weeks, compared to 15% of patients who used vaseline containing salicylic acid and 8% of patients who received no treatment. Similar cure rates were obtained in the subgroup of patients with plantar warts. In another randomised trial, about 14% of patients with plantar warts were cured with cryotherapy or topical salicylic acid at 12 weeks, and overall 32% of patients were cured at 6 months. Adverse effects (none serious) were more frequent with cryotherapy in one trial but not in the other trial.