Chemical Cautery

When do I use chemical cautery?

As a dermatologist, I often use podophyllin chemical cautery to treat plantar and genital warts and trichloracetic acid (TCA) chemical cautery to treat cholesterol deposits, common warts and molluscum contagiosum. 

What is podophyllin?

Podophyllin is a plant extract containing the cytotoxic resin podophyllotoxin.

Which conditions are usually treated with podophyllin chemical cautery?

Podophyllin chemical cautery is mainly used to treat plantar and genital warts.

When should podophyllin not be used?

Podophyllin should not be used on a lady who is pregnant as it may harm the foetus.