An effective topical therapy is still needed in the management of warts, especially the plantar and the periungual types. Often cantharidin does not produce deep enough necrosis even with repeated applications and even after debridements of various degrees. In hyperkeratotic types of warts podophyllin has not been effective because of failure to secure deep penetration.
Recently, a topical wart therapy was suggested by Lavender.1 This was a mixture of trichloroacetic acid—26%, glycerin—21%, and salicylic acid—53%. This was an effective medication.
However, often it did not penetrate deeply. Also, the mixture dried out on standing and was difficult to maintain in a fluid or semisolid state. When podophyllin was added to this mixture not only was the mixture more rapid in its action but also more effective. Moreover, it did not dry out on exposure to air. The mixture is composed of the following formula: podophyllin—20%, trichloroacetic acid—25%, glycerin—25%, and