Filiform Warts of 2 Years' Duration in a Child Treated by Homoeopathy

Filiform warts appear as thin, long threadlike projections on the skin, giving them a distinctive appearance.[1] The face is usually affected, particularly near the eyelids and lips. In school-age children, the prevalence is approximately 10 to 20%.[2] Conventionally, cryotherapy, retinoic acid, podophyllin, topical 5-fluorouracil, interferon, and imiquimod are the treatment of choice. However, these modalities are painful, invasive, and less effective as there is a high chance of recurrence.[3] In this context, homoeopathy may constitute a gentle and noninvasive way to treat warts.

A 3-year-old girl visited the State Homoeopathic Dispensary, Maynaguri Rural Hospital, Jalpaiguri, with multiple warts on the chin since the age of 6 months (a duration of 2.5 years) ([Fig. 1]). Touching or scratching at the lesion caused bleeding, and the lesion was often the cause of bullying by the people around her. Initially, the condition was treated with various ointments by a dermatologist for about 7 months and by a homoeopath with various medicines for about 4 months. However, no change in the lesion was observed following treatment.

Fig. 1 Appearance of the warts at the first visit.

The family history revealed that her father was suffering from diabetes mellitus and hypertension, and her grandfather (mother's side) was diagnosed with a bladder tumor (leiomyoma).

The patient appeared to be flabby and lethargic. She has extreme thirst and drinks water frequently. Psychologically, she is not so communicative. She answered questions slowly, and she is found to be irritable and forgetful.

Diagnosis: The patient was diagnosed with filiform warts (ICD-10-CM Code: B07.9-Viral wart [Filiform], unspecified).

First Prescription: Based on the symptoms, including the nature of the warts, easy bleeding, family history of sycosis (leiomyoma), appearance, thirst, and the slow mental process, she was prescribed Medorrhinum 200/3 doses (once daily in the morning for 3 days) followed by placebo for 10 days.

Follow-up 1 (at day 12): The lesions were slightly flattened ([Fig. 2]). Prescription: Placebo for 10 days.

Fig. 2 Appearance of the warts (slightly flattened) at the first follow-up.

Follow-up 2 (at day 22): The lesions significantly reduced, which were more marked at the peripheral zone ([Fig. 3]). Prescription: Placebo for 10 days.

Fig. 3 Appearance of the warts (significantly reduced) at the second follow-up.

Follow-up 3 (at day 34): The warts completely disappeared with a regular and smooth texture of the skin at the site of the lesion ([Fig. 4]).

Fig. 4 Warts have completely disappeared at the third follow-up.

The Declaration of Patient Consent

The author certifies that all appropriate consent forms from the parents were obtained as the patient is a minor, in which they consented for use of the images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal.

Publication History

Article published online:
11 March 2024

• References

• 1 Landthaler M, Bäumler W, Hohenleutner U. Lasers and flashlamps in dermatology. In: Goldsmith LA, Katz SI, Gilchrest BA, Paller AS, Leffell DJ, Wolff K. eds. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 8th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education LLC; 2012: 1-2
• 2 Lipke MM. An armamentarium of wart treatments. Clin Med Res 2006; 4 (04) 273-293
• 3 Al Aboud AM, Nigam PK. Wart. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; 2022