ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Plane warts, mostly found on the face, present a challenge to treat as most destructive methods can lead to unpleasant cosmetic outcome. Alternative therapeutic methods should be evaluated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy and adverse effects of photodynamic therapy with methylene blue and intense pulsed light in comparison to candida antigen immunotherapy in the treatment of plane warts. METHODS: The study included 39 patients with plane warts assigned into 3 groups. Group I received photodynamic therapy using methylene blue followed by IPL illumination, group II received immunotherapy using 0.1 ml of candida albicans antigen and group III received 0.1 ml saline as a control. RESULTS: Complete response was detected in (46.1%) of patients in group I compared to (61.5%) in group II and no response in group III. CONCLUSION: Candida antigen immunotherapy is superior to photodynamic therapy in plane warts treatment with absence of recurrence and comparable side effects in both groups.
