Treatment of recalcitrant facial verrucae vulgares with sinecatechins (greentea catechins) ointment.

BACKGROUND

Facial verrucae vulgares are benign, but disfiguring skin manifestations of human papilloma virus infection. They are found as verrucae planae juveniles in young adults, but also as common warts in immunocompromised or atopic patients.

OBJECTIVE

To find an alternative, non-surgical treatment for a young man with atopic dermatitis and facial warts, who had not responded to 5-FU ointment, waterfiltered infrared A (wIRA) irradiation and topical retinoids.

METHODS

Topical treatment with a sinecatechins 10% ointment (Veregen(TM) ) as approved for genital warts thrice daily for 3 weeks in a 34-year-old man with atopic dermatitis

RESULTS

Complete remission of all facial warts was achieved within 20 days. Few side-effects were observed (initially some light skin irritation only).

CONCLUSION

In this case, topical sinecatechins proved to be a well-tolerated and effective alternative to treat recalcitrant facial warts without surgery.