Imiquimod removes common warts but any areas of thick skin have to be removed before it is applied. Otherwise it will not penetrate into the wart. Imiquimod has cleared warts in renal transplant recipients who normally cannot clear warts because their immune systems are weakened by drugs to prevent rejection of the transplant.
The following pictures show the result of treating thick plantar warts with imiquimod for 6 weeks.
Plantar Warts
Imiquimod is undergoing studies to see how successful it is at preventing the recurrence of hypertrophic scars and keloids. Some patients are prone to develop thick scars and require various treatments to flatten the scar. None of the current treatments has been shown to consistently work, and the results of treatment are not always cosmetically pleasing for the patient.
Preliminary results using imiquimod, starting treatment as soon as the thick scar is excised and sutured, have been very pleasing. It appears as though imiquimod will be the most successful treatment to prevent the recurrence of the scars.
Imiquimod was applied 3 times a week after the scar was shaved off.
Further studies are being conducted but it appears that the best results will be obtained by applying imiquimod once a day for 8 weeks, starting from the time the scar is excised and the wound is sutured.