Genital warts are one of the most common sexually transmitted infection across the globe. Centers for disease control & preventions states that almost all sexually active men & women get infected by HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) at some point in their lives.
HPV has various types that cause warts and almost 40 distinct HPV types can lead to genital warts. [01] All cutaneous warts are small, harmless growth resulted from HPV infection and can be successfully treated by various means. Often, they resolve on their own over the few years.[02]
Does Compound W work on genital warts?
Compound W can be used as OTC to treat common warts & verrucae. Apply it daily over the wart for a few weeks to see the results.
But it should never be used on genital warts & face as it may cause the burning, irritation and hypo or hyperpigmentation of skin. [03] So, using this gel for genital warts is not safe.
How does Compound W work?
Salicylic acid is one of the famous & thoroughly proven over-the-counter treatment for warts that one can use at home.
Compound W – a wart remover gel is made using salicylic acid (17% w/w) as an active ingredient. It contains alcohol (21.2% v/v), Camphor, Castor Oil, Collodion, Ether (63.6%), Ethylcellulose, Hypophosphorous Acid, Menthol & Polysorbate 80 as an inactive ingredient. [04]
Head over to the Amazon to buy Compound W gel & read various reviews by users. It will provide you with more insight about the product.
Salicylic acid act as an exfoliating agent over the skin cells and often helps to remove common warts over feet & hands when applied for every day for few weeks.
Compound W contains 17% salicylic acid which is a recommended dose for OTC gels and can be used at home. If your warts don’t respond to this concentration, you may need to seek advice of an expert to use it in higher concentration. [05]
Also, those who are suffering from diabetes, vascular diseases that impair the blood flow should seek doctors advise before using salicylic acid.
How to use Compound W wart remover?
To use compound w to remove common warts, follow the given steps:
- Wash the wart & surrounding area with clean lukewarm water & let it dry.
- Take an emery board or pumice stone and rub the wart gently, until hard skin from wart surface gets removed.
- Apply one drop of Compound W over the wart. Make sure not to apply to surrounding skin.
- Once it becomes dry, cover it with a waterproof tape.
- Apply daily for 2 to 4 weeks or until warts diminishes. [/thrive_text_block]
Risk & other things to consider
Usually, Compound W aka 17% salicylic acid is a milder treatment for warts, it can cause certain side effects.
Salicylic acid is a skin irritant and if you mistakenly apply it over the skin that surrounds the wart, it may cause burning, irritation, skin discoloration or discomfort.
It should never be used for warts that grow on face and genitals. As skin at these areas are more sensitive and Compound W may trigger burning.
When to see the doctor
If warts don’t respond to the compound w even after applying it for several weeks, then you should seek advice from a healthcare provider to discuss the other line of treatment.
Also, if you have the wart on a face or genital area then do not apply salicylic acid, instead see your doctor & get it removed.
Bottom line: Compound W wart remover gel has salicylic acid (17%) as an active ingredient which is proven to remove warts on soles, hands and other places of the body which has thick skin.
Also, it is a considerably inexpensive home treatment for warts that one should try it once before going for an expensive line of treatment.
But, if you experience skin irritation or burning, stop using it and seek medical advice and do not use it over genital warts.
References:
[01] de Villiers E-M, Fauquet C, Broker TR, et al. Classification of Papillomaviruses. Virology 2004; 324:17–27.
[02] Insinga RP, Perez G, Wheeler CM, et al. Incident Cervical HPV Infections in Young Women: Transition Probabilities for CIN and Infection Clearance. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011; 20(2):287–296.
[03] Hans Michael Ockenfels. “Therapeutic management of cutaneous and genital warts”. DOI: 10.1111/ddg.12838
[04] “Patient information leaflet for Compound W” Via: https://www.drugs.com/uk/compound-w-leaflet.html
[05] “358.110 Wart remover active ingredients by FDA” Via: Code of Federal Regulation: 21CFR358.110