Twenty-three patients with 2 to 96 warts (all on the hands except for two cases with plantar warts) and 9 patients with 1 to 2 corns on the feet applied a lipid extract of garlic twice a day until full or best recovery was seen. Complete recovery was seen in all cases with warts after 1 to 2 weeks of treatment. Seven of 9 patients with corns showed complete recovery after 10 to 20 days and the other 2 patients showed marked improvement, with no further improvement on continuation of treatment. In a control group of patients treated with the vehicle (chloroform:methanol (2:1) solution), no improvement in warts was seen. In patients who had numerous warts, when only 1 or 2 large warts were treated, the other small warts located in the same area disappeared, too. Side effects included blistering, redness, burning, and hyperpigmentation of the skin around the application area, which usually disappeared completely in 1 to 2 weeks. Zinc oxide ointment was applied to the surrounding normal skin in all cases in an attempt to prevent side effects.

Comment: Although there is often a large placebo effect when warts are treated, the 100% cure rate within 2 weeks that was observed in this study seems far greater than one would expect from a placebo. The results with corns are also impressive. In an earlier study of 5 children with warts on the hands, nightly application of half a clove of garlic (with the cut side touching the skin) resulted in complete clearing of the lesions within 9 weeks. The results of the new study suggest that a lipid-soluble extract of garlic is more effective than either whole garlic or an aqueous extract. Because this treatment can cause blistering contact dermatitis, care should be taken to avoid applying the extract to normal skin. Covering the affected area with Band-Aids or waterproof tape after application of garlic, and washing the area each morning, may help prevent the garlic from migrating to the surrounding skin.

Dehghani F, et al. Healing effect of garlic extract on warts and corns. Int J Dermatol 2005;44:612-615.