Salicylic Acid Solution Versus Tretinoin 0.05% Cream for Treating Plane Warts

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness and safety of topical salicylic acid solution (15-17%) and tretinoin 0.05% cream in treating plane warts. A total of 200 patients aged 12-40 years will be recruited from the Dermatology Department of Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Abbottabad, and randomly divided into two treatment groups. Both treatments will be applied once daily at night for 12 weeks, with follow-up visits at weeks 4, 8, and 12. The primary outcome will be complete clearance of all warts at 12 weeks, while adverse effects such as redness, scaling, burning, itching, and pigmentation changes will also be assessed. The study aims to identify which treatment offers better efficacy and tolerability to support evidence-based treatment decisions for patients with plane warts.This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness and safety of topical salicylic acid solution (15-17%) and tretinoin 0.05% cream in treating plane warts. A total of 200 patients aged 12-40 years will be recruited from the Dermatology Department of Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Abbottabad, and randomly divided into two treatment groups. Both treatments will be applied once daily at night for 12 weeks, with follow-up visits at weeks 4, 8, and 12. The primary outcome will be complete clearance of all warts at 12 weeks, while adverse effects such as redness, scaling, burning, itching, and pigmentation changes will also be assessed. The study aims to identify which treatment offers better efficacy and tolerability to support evidence-based treatment decisions for patients with plane warts

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Patients of both genders 2. Age 12 to 40 years 3. Clinically diagnosed plane warts (≥5 lesions) 4. Warts present for at least 4 weeks 5. Treatment-naive or no treatment in last 4 weeks Exclusion Criteria: 1. Pregnancy or lactation (for females of childbearing age) 2. Known hypersensitivity to salicylic acid or tretinoin 3. Active facial dermatitis or eczema 4. Immunocompromised patients 5. Concurrent use of other wart treatments 6. Facial scarring that would interfere with assessment 7. Use of systemic retinoids in past 6 months