What is the most effective treatment for verruca on the hands?

The most effective treatment for verruca, commonly known as warts, on the hands is cryotherapy. This method involves the application of liquid nitrogen to freeze the wart, leading to tissue destruction and eventual shedding of the wart. Cryotherapy is favored due to its effectiveness in directly targeting the wart tissue, and it is often performed in a clinical setting by a healthcare professional.

Cryotherapy typically requires multiple treatment sessions for optimal results since the wart may not be completely eradicated in a single visit. The procedure can cause discomfort, but it is generally well tolerated and has been shown to be an effective option for a variety of wart types, including those on the hands.

Other options, such as oral antibiotics, topical retinoids, and antiviral ointments, are not effective treatments for verrucae. Oral antibiotics are meant for bacterial infections, which is not applicable to warts since they are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Topical retinoids are used for skin conditions such as acne, while antiviral ointments address viral infections, yet do not specifically target HPV or wart removal. Therefore, cryotherapy stands out as the most appropriate clinical intervention for verrucae on the hands.