To evaluate whether salicylic acid was superior to cryotherapy for plantar warts

Patients with plantar warts were randomized equally to receive salicylic acid or cryotherapy. Cryotherapy is delivered by a technician up to a maximum of four treatments 3 weeks apart. Thirty percent of salicylic acid is applied once daily by the patient (or parent) for a maximum of 12 weeks. The primary outcomes were the cure rates at 12 weeks; secondary outcomes included time to clearance of warts, patient satisfaction with the treatment and treatment-related adverse effects.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with HPV1-induced plantar warts.
• Total number of warts is ≤5.
• Aged 12 years or older.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients are currently participating in another trial for the treatment of plantar warts.
• Patients had received two or more consecutive sessions of cryotherapy, with an interval of no more than 4 weeks (The history of salicylic acid treatment was not considered as criteria for exclusion because high concentration salicylic acid is not commercially available in Chinese mainland).
• Patients have taken immunosuppressant drugs (such as oral corticosteroids) during the past three months.
• Patients have impaired healing eg due to diabetes, vitamin A deficiency, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
• Patients have autoimmune diseases (such as systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, scleroderma or other diseases).
• Patients are pregnant or ready for pregnancies or breast-feeding.
• Patients have cold intolerance (such as cold urticaria, cryoglobulinaemia, cold agglutinin syndrome or Raynaud's syndrome).
• Patients have local pain intolerance.
• Patients have local hypoesthesia.
• Patients are unable to tolerate salicylic acid or cryotherapy.