Removing Warts on Kids

we recently discovered our nearly 3yo son has a wart on his left ring finger.  it wasn't that big.  but we were still fearful that it could spread to other parts of his body.  so we immediately rushed him to his pediatric dermatologist, Dr Carlos Paguio, of The Medical City.

dr paguio mentioned it's pretty much common for kids to have warts once in their toddler years.  why?  because they're very 'touchy' at that stage, and they like feeling or touching a lot of things like books, crayons, toys, and what have you.  and sometimes, when these things aren't kept clean or have viruses that cause warts, the kids catch them.  poor baby!  so they commonly have them on their hands or feet.  i suggest you better check your kid's hands and feet for warts once in a while.  and keep them clean all the time.

so what was the doctor's remedy (WARNING:  remedies vary from doctor to doctor.  so please have your child's wart checked by his pedia-derma first and ask him if this remedy applies.)?

he made us buy the following:  duofilm wart solution (available at mercury drug), duct tape (any brand will do, but if you can afford 3M brand the better), and tegaderm transparent dressing (also availabe at mercury drug)

here are the steps:
1. soak hand (affected area) in warm water for at least 20 minutes
2. dry hand (affected area)
3. apply duofilm with toothpick (cut it coz you'll use flat end) 3x, dry by air blowing (you'll notice the wart will change color to cottony white and top cover will soften and seem to come off)
4. when completely dry, apply strip of duct tape
5. cover top of duct tape with tegaderm to keep it dry even while bathing
6. leave for 6 days, then have it checked again by his pedia.

in case your child accidentally peels off the cover and the wart is still there, you have to do the whole process again until you reach 6 days. 

goodluck!

by the way, the materials you'll need aren't that cheap.  total bill was around P800.  but anything for your child right?  =)


Carlos E. Paguio, MD
Pediatrician/Pediatric Dermatologist
Fellow, Philippine Pediatric Society
Member, Society of Pediatric Dermatology

Rm 1517 Medical Towers
The Medical City Hospital
Ortigas Ave, Pasig City
Monday - Saturday 9 - 12nn
02.634.4749

Rm 24
San Antonio Plaza,
McKinley Road, Makati City
Monday - Friday 3 - 6pm (appt)
02.810.1685