Comparison of clinical efficacy and safety of thermotherapy versus cryotherapy in treatment of skin warts: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

The effect of thermotherapy in the treatment of skin warts in comparison to cryotherapy, as the standard conventional method, has remained uncertain. This study aimed to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of thermotherapy and cryotherapy in removing skin warts. This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 52 patients aged 18 years and over with ≤ 10 skin warts. The participants were randomly assigned into two groups to receive cryotherapy (every 2 to 3 weeks up to six sessions if required) or thermotherapy (one session). The patients in both groups were followed every 2 to 3 weeks for the first three months, and then three months after the last treatment session. The clearance rate was 79.2% in the thermotherapy group and 58.3% in the cryotherapy group with no significant difference (p = 0.212). The rate of scarring in the thermotherapy group was 20% (p = .018). A higher clearance rate was achieved in the thermotherapy group. However, this result was not statistically significant. There were some minimal post-treatment complications. Patients needed only one session of thermotherapy. Due to the risk of scarring, we suggest thermotherapy only as a suitable treatment method for palmoplantar warts.

Treatment of Warts in Pediatrics: A Review

“…One randomized study compared the efficacy of cryotherapy and thermotherapy in 52 students, using an electrode that came into direct contact with the wart. Clearance rates were 79.2% in the thermotherapy group and the 58.3% in the cryotherapy group, however this was not statistically significant [14]. Adverse effects included burning sensation, blister formation, and subsequent hyperpigmentation [14].…”

“…Clearance rates were 79.2% in the thermotherapy group and the 58.3% in the cryotherapy group, however this was not statistically significant [14]. Adverse effects included burning sensation, blister formation, and subsequent hyperpigmentation [14]. There are limited studies on the efficacy of thermotherapy.…”

“…Thermotherapy: Thermotherapy can be applied in numerous ways, including hot water pads, ultrasound, and lasers. Hyperthermia is hypothesized to increase the apoptosis in infected apoptotic keratinocytes [14]. Previous studies have shown clearance rates at 40 °C to 45 °C [14].…”

“…Hyperthermia is hypothesized to increase the apoptosis in infected apoptotic keratinocytes [14]. Previous studies have shown clearance rates at 40 °C to 45 °C [14]. One randomized study compared the efficacy of cryotherapy and thermotherapy in 52 students, using an electrode that came into direct contact with the wart.…”

The Application of Machine Learning in Predicting Outcome of Cryotherapy and Immunotherapy for Wart Removal

“…Warts are commonly treated by cryotherapy, which consists of freezing off the wart usually using liquid nitrogen 9 10 11 . However the treatment has many side-effects, is painful, and many treatment sessions are required 12 13 . Immunotherapy is newer alternative, which is based on the activation of the immune system to deal with the virus and suppress its activity.…”