Pediatric Finger Warts Treated Using Taeeumjowi-tang: a case report

Abstract

Warts caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) are generally treated with cryotherapy, CO2 laser ablation, interferon injections, and bleomycin injections. However, it is sometimes difficult to treat children because the treatment can be painful. In addition, recurrence may occur after treatment. In this study, warts completely disappeared following the administration of herbal medicine in two children, with warts in multiple parts of the hands and around the nails. Two pediatric patients visited the hospital for treatment of warts around their fingers and nails. Both patients received Taeeumjowi-tang (TJT) as a decoction for 60 days. TJT was performed twice per day for the 11-year-old patient and once per day for the 7-year-old patient. Patient progress was observed monthly, and the visual condition of the warts was photographed during the visits. After approximately two months of treatment, the warts disappeared from the fingers and nails of both patients. This case study suggests that the oral administration of TJT may be effective for pediatric patients with warts. Further studies are required to determine the efficacy and safety of these therapies.

Keywords

• case report
• korean medicine
• pediatric warts
• warts