Topical 15% Zinc Oxide Ointment Significantly Reduces the Size of Common Warts After Four Weeks: A Randomized, Triple-blinded, Placebo-controlled Trial.

There are limited number of topical agents for the treatment of common warts. Few reports show efficacy of zinc oxide for such indication. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of topical 15% zinc oxide ointment for the reduction in size of common warts. Sixteen patients with two comparable palmar warts or verruca vulgaris were randomized to receive either 15% zinc oxide ointment or placebo three times a day for four weeks. Diameter, surface area, and volume change of warts in both groups were used as objective assessments, while patient and physician assessments were also recorded. At Week 4, zinc oxide significantly reduced the median surface area compared to baseline (<0.037). However, when the median percent changes between groups were compared, there were no statistically significant differences. Zinc oxide can reduce the size of common hand warts after four weeks. We suggest that it can be used as an adjunctive therapy to enhance the efficacy of other treatments.