A case of warts treated with Thuja Occidentalis

By Dr Deepti Chawla CMO NFSG

Directorate. of AYUSH, GNCT of Delhi

ABSTRACT

Homoeopathic medicines have been widely used as the first choice of treatment in cases of warts. A
wide range of medicines have been documented for warts in Homoeopathic literature. This article
focuses on a case of warts successfully treated with Thuja Occidentalis

KEYWORDS

Warts, Verrucae, HPV, Common warts, Plane warts, filiform warts, plantar warts, genital warts

INTRODUCTION

Warts or Verrucae are skin growths caused by Infection of the skin by Human Papilloma
Virus (HPV) . Some varieties of HPV infect the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) and
stimulate rapid growth of cells giving rise to warts. HPV may be transmitted by direct or
close contact with infected individual. An infected individual may spread infection to other
areas of his/her body by touch. Infection is also known to spread through contact with
infected materials such as towels/ razors etc. HPV usually gains entry into the skin through
minor cuts/ breaks. Genital warts spread by skin to skin contact as well as by genital , oral
and sexual contact. Exposure to HPV does not necessarily result in appearance of warts.
Individuals at higher risk for developing warts include children and young adults, persons
with lowered/ compromised immunity such as those with HIV , persons on immuno-
suppressive drugs such as organ transplant patients. Different types of warts are:

Common warts/ Verruca Vulgaris

Appear as skin colored, fleshy, firm papules with rough surface. Common sites are dorsum
of hands, fingers etc.

Plain warts

Appear as skin colored smooth papular lesions. Common sited are face, dorsum of hands

Filiform warts

Appear as finger like projections with rough surface. Common sites are neck, face , scalp

Plantar Warts found on the plantar surface(sole) of foot as a skin colored area with an
irregular surface. These may be painful on pressure.
 Genital warts present as a mass of verrucous tissue in the genital area , prepuce, vagina,
anal /peri-anal area. Significantly genital warts may be transmitted to mouth, tongue, lips
of a patient by oral- sexual contact

Warts are usually asymptomatic. At times plantar warts may be tender on pressure due to
pressure on an underlying nerve. Genital warts may cause itching, pain, vaginal discharge,
burning and bleeding

CASE

An 18 year old male patient presented with bilateral verrucous lesions on extensor surface
of both forearms and dorsum of both hands since several months. Warts were more
widespread on Left arm and hand as compared to right. Lesions were asymptomatic but
rapidly increasing in size and number.

Past History: Nothing specific

Family History: Nothing specific

Generals:

Thermal Reaction: Chilly 2+

Appetite: Normal but has flatulence after eating

Thirst: Normal

Desires/Aversions: Nothing specific

Stool: Hard

Urine: Nothing specific

Perspiration: Increased all over body, no specific odour

MIND: Nothing specific

PRESCRIPTION:

1st Prescription: Thuja 30/BD/7days on the basis of general symptoms

2nd Prescription: Lesions same, prescription repeated for 15 days

3rd Prescription: Some lesions better but some new appearing. Thuja 200/BD/7 days

4th Prescription: Warts better, no new lesions noticed. Sac lac 30/OD/15 days

5th Prescription: Warts almost disappeared. Thuja 200/1 dose prescribed followed by Sac lac.

CONCLUSION:

A historically tried and tested remedy Thuja Occidentalis once again proves it’s efficacy in
the treatment of warts.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1.Textbook of Dermatology for Homoeopaths by Ramji Gupta and RK Manchanda,, Galgotia

publishing company, 1997

2.Boericke’s Materia Medica with Repertory, IX edition, B Jain Publishers

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