Role of Intralesional Vitamin D3 in the Treatment of Cutaneous Warts

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous warts are common benign skin lesions caused by human papillomavirus. Various treatment options are available for these but immunotherapy is becoming more and more popular over the past few years. It stimulates cell-mediated immunity causing clearance of warts. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim is to determine the role of intralesional vitamin D3 in the treatment of warts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with verruca vulgaris attending OPD were included. Around two to three warts were injected first with 0.2 mL of lignocaine (20 mg/mL). After a few minutes, the same warts were injected with 0.2 mL (4 U) of vitamin D3 (15 mg/mL). The injections were given2 weeks apart for a maximum of six sessions, and the patient was followed up 3 months after the last injection. RESULTS: A total of 41 patients of cutaneous warts completed the study. Complete clearance was seen in 27 (65.85%) patients, partial response was seen in 11 (26.83%) patients, and three patients (7.32%) showed no response at all. The mean number of injections required for complete response was four. Recurrence was seen in two patients (4.88%) and one patient had keloid formation at the sight of injection. LIMITATION: This is a small sample sized study and lacks a control group. CONCLUSION: Intralesional vitamin D3 is an effective treatment option for common warts.