Skin Diseases & Skin Care

A study on the efficacy of intralesional bleomycin for the treatment of periungual and palmoplantar warts

Introduction Amongst the different modalities for the treatment of warts, not a single modality is fully effective. While treating warts, the possibility of spontaneous regression must also be kept in mind. The aim of treating warts is to induce long term immunity without recurrences.

Aim: To study the efficacy and safety of intralesional bleomycin for the treatment of twenty patients with periungual and palmoplantar warts.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study of twenty patients of resistant periungual and palmoplantar warts between the age group of 15 – 50 years. Three injections of bleomycin were given at an interval of 2 weeks for a maximum of 3 injections(or less if the resolution occurred earlier).

Results: After three sessions, complete clearance of palmoplantar warts was  71.42%  and that of periungual warts was 90.90%. lesions were seen in 82% patients and incomplete resolution was seen in 15% patients. Bleomycin has antibacterial, antiviral and cytotoxic activity. Commonest side effect after bleomycin injection was pain seen in 40%(8) patients followed by pigmentary change and raynauds phenomenon  seen in 5%(1) patient each.

Discussion: Bleomycin is an effective and promising treatment of recalcitrant warts especially in palmoplantar and periungual.

Author(s):

Neerja Puri

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