Therapeutic effect of dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) on verruca plana and verruca vulgaris

Fifty-nine patients with verrucae (45 with verrucae plana and 14 with verrucae vulgaris) were treated with dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) as a topical application on the normal uninvolved skin of the shoulder for sensitization and challenge. The patients were sensitized with 0.5 ml of 0.4% DNCB solution and then challenged with 0.1% DNCB ointment twice a week. Six cases of verrucae plana and 1 case of verrucae vulgaris were completely cured by sensitization only and 32 cases of verrucae plana and 7 cases of verrucae vulgaris were completely resolved by repeated challenges. The therapeutic effect was better in verrucae plana (84.4%) than in verrucae vulgaris (57.1%), and the verrucae were completely resolved within 10 weeks in more than 90% of the patients cured by challenge. The side effects of DNCB were mild allergic contact dermatitis and slight transitory hyperpigmentation at the site of application.