Successful Treatment of Flat Warts by Cryotherapy and Acupuncture

Background and Aim: Flat warts caused by human papilloma virus type 3, 10, 27 and 41 brings many cosmetic problems to children and young adults. Cryotherapy is the destruction method of tissue by the application of extreme cold and has been indicated as a treatment modality for the management of flat warts. Acupuncture is widely used in the prevention and treatment of a variety of diseases. Precisely how acupuncture destroys warts is not well understood, but theory is that acupuncture at SI6 weakens the virus function by activating the immune system. To determine the efficacy of combined cryotherapy and acupuncture of flat warts. Methods: 83 patients (age range; 10~40 years) with clinically diagnosed flat warts (1 month after onset) were recruited. Patients were randomized to receive combination of cryotherapy and acupuncture, cryotherapy alone and acupuncture alone. Data was analyzed to determine local response and clinical effectiveness of combination treatment. Results: Of 83 patients, 34 (41.0%) were treated with combination treatment, 26 (31.3%) were treated with cryotherapy alone and 23 (27.7%) were treated with acupuncture alone. 31 patients (91.2%) in the combination group vs 9 patients (34.6%) in the cryotherapy group vs 4 patients (17.4%) had complete resolution of flat warts. Conclusion: Combination of cryotherapy and acupuncture was significantly more effective than individual treatments.