Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of 0.05% tretinoin cream in the treatment of plane warts in Arab children

INTRODUCTION Topical tretinoin (Retin-A), although currently recommended for the treatment of acne, has also been reported to be of benefit in a wide range of skin diseases including plane warts, ichthyosis, lichen planus and photodamaged skin. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical tretinoin (0.05% cream) in the treatment of plane warts in Arab children.METHODS A group of 25 children with plane warts treated with 0.05% topical tretinoin cream (applied once daily for 6 weeks) were compared with a control group of 25 untreated children. Patients were reviewed weekly and a final assessment was done at 12 weeks.RESULTS After 12 weeks, clearance of warts was observed in 84.6% of the treated group as compared with 32% of the control group. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The drug was well tolerated. Even though 42.3% of the treated group had some redness and peeling, only one patient discontinued treatment.CONCLUSION Topical 0.05% tretinoin cream appears to be an effective and safe treatment for children with plane warts. This was a pilot study that needs confirmation by a large double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.