Warts / Viral Skin

Cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen) is an effective treatment that freezes and necrotizes wart tissue, but it cannot completely eliminate the HPV virus itself. Recurrence occurs when HPV remaining deep within the skin proliferates again when immunity is weakened. Plantar warts (verruca plantaris), in particular, are deeply embedded, resulting in a high recurrence rate with surface treatment alone. Major external treatments used in Korean traditional medicine include: ① Castor seeds (*Rima*) — Crushed and applied to the wart or oil applied; cytotoxic components (ricin analogs) act on HPV-infected cells; ② Ephedra decoction — Ephedrine alkaloid components provide a local immune-stimulating effect; ③ Acupuncture and moxibustion — Needling around the lesion improves local circulation. For internal prescription, detoxifying and immunity-boosting herbal medicine is taken (herbal medicines that dissipate wind-heat, and modified herbal medicines that relieve heat toxins and detoxify).