The Treatment of Palmar and Plantar Warts Using Natural Alpha Interferon and a Needleless Injector

BACKGROUND: The treatment of palmar and plantar warts is difficult and often frustrating. The need for multiple destructive treatments and recurrences after apparent cure are common. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine if intralesional natural alpha interferon might offer an effective alternative therapy for common plantar and palmar warts. METHODS: A series of 22 private office patients with palmar and plantar warts were treated with intralesional natural alpha interferon using a needless injector. We treated twice weekly for a minimum of 8 weeks or until clear. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (73%) showed complete clearing of their warts in a mean of 11 weeks of twice weekly treatment. Upon follow-up, which averaged 9.5 months, 17 of 21 patients (81%) remained clear of their warts. CONCLUSION: Natural alpha interferon by needless injector appears to represent an effective alternative treatment for palmar and plantar human papillomavirus lesions. Further study of this modality is indicated.