Warts are skin growths that are caused by viruses known as human papillomavirus (HPV). Fortunately, these growths can often be treated at home using products that are available in your local drug store. This provides consumers with a sense of relief, knowing that they can safely treat their warts.
The products that are available in your local drug store undergo an extensive testing process. Wart removal product testing ensures that these products are both safe and effective. The end result is a product that can make a difference in your life.
How Can You Currently Treat Warts?
Although warts can go away on their own, a long time is needed. During that time, warts can spread, which is one reason that treatment is recommended. Of the available topical treatment products, salicylic acid is the most common active ingredient.
Offered in liquid or patch form, salicylic acid softens abnormal skin cells, causing them to break apart, and allowing normal skin cells to grow. This option is called keratolytic (kera = protein and lytic = disintegration) therapy. The skin cells containing the virus-infected wart disintegrate when treated with a salicylic acid containing product. When using topical salicylic acid, you should first soak the affected area in water for five to six minutes. This aids the activity of the medication. Salicylic acid therapy usually takes about 2 weeks for a full response.
Another common over-the-counter treatment is freezing. Evaporation of a gas freezes the tissue, killing the wart tissue and the virus. Frequently a blister develops around the wart after freezing and the wart may change color over a few days. Freezing therapy usually takes about 2 weeks for a full response.
However, there are many different types of HPV viruses so there are many different types of warts. Outcome of wart treatments can be site-dependent as well as virus dependent. In some difficult cases, a physician is needed.
New products are continuously being formulated to provide a comfortable, yet effective treatment option. These treatments are important because warts can be unsightly and embarrassing for those affected. Warts are also contagious, which is why early treatment is important.
How Are Wart Treatments Currently Developed?
Scientific researchers work alongside manufacturers to create new, effective treatments. By selecting active ingredients that are clinically proven to effectively treat warts, scientists develop topical products that are safe and effective.
Since these topical products will come into contact with normal human skin, a rigorous testing process begins. Preclinical toxicology and stability testing are of particular interest. All FDA and EPA guidelines must be followed with precision and accuracy. This will ensure that the newly developed product is manufactured with the highest possible standards for safety and efficacy. Once the product is believed to be ready, clinical trials to test efficacy and safety may begin. This requires the support and help of volunteer subjects, such as you.
Testing Products That Treat Warts
Clinical testing is important for scientific research and for product development. Participating in clinical testing is your opportunity to provide feedback to scientists. If you are interested in this unique opportunity, you can apply to become a wart removal product tester. In many cases, you will need to meet specific guidelines. Since warts can affect anyone, however, the general requirements are fairly broad (i.e., males and females between the ages of 4-80). Once selected, you will test the product of interest and provide your feedback. Your efforts and honest opinion will provide scientists with information that they can trust. Have questions about the process? Contact CPT today!
