Comparison of Efficacy and Adverse Effects of 40% Hydrogen Peroxide and 50% Trichloroacetic Acid Preparations in the Treatment of Seborrheic Keratosis in A Tertiary Care Hospital

Sana Zafar; Sumeera Zulfiqar; Atika Raheem; Ayesha Kanwal; Hina Mazhar; Nigah-e-Mustafa

doi:10.51253/pafmj.v76iSUPPL-6.13806

Authors

Sana Zafar Department of Dermatology, Combined Military Hospital, Lahore/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Sumeera Zulfiqar Department of Dermatology, Combined Military Hospital, Lahore/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Atika Raheem Department of Dermatology, Combined Military Hospital, Okara/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Ayesha Kanwal Department of Dermatology, Combined Military Hospital, Lahore/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Hina Mazhar Department of Dermatology, Combined Military Hospital, Lahore/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Nigah-e-Mustafa Department of Dermatology, Combined Military Hospital, Lahore/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v76iSUPPL-6.13806

Keywords:

Erythema, Hydrogen Peroxide, Keratosis, Seborrheic, Tertiary Care Centers, Trichloroacetic Acid

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy and adverse effects of 40% Hydrogen Peroxide versus 50% Trichloroacetic Acid in the treatment of seborrheic keratosis in a tertiary care hospital.

Study Design: Quasi-experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Dermatology, Combined Military Hospital, Lahore Pakistan, from Oct 2024 to Mar 2025.

Methodology: A total of 192 patients with seborrheic keratosis were enrolled in our study. After randomization, they were divided into two equal groups of 96 patients each. Group-A was treated with 40% Hydrogen Peroxide, and Group-B was treated with 50% Trichloroacetic Acid solution, for a maximum of four sessions at two-week intervals. The Physician’s Lesion Assessment score was used to assess therapeutic efficacy. Erythema and other localized skin reactions were also recorded during the four sessions and one month after completion of therapy.

Results: At the follow-up visit, n=33 (34.4%) of patients achieved a PLA score of 0 in Group-A, compared to n=12 (12.5%) of patients in Group-B. A statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups (p=0.001). Group-A had a lower frequency of localized skin reactions, including erythema (4%), burning (2%), crusting (2%), hyperpigmentation (2%), and pruritus (1%). In contrast, Group-B experienced a higher incidence of erythema (68%), burning (78%), and hyperpigmentation (3%).

Conclusion: Treatment with a 40% Hydrogen Peroxide solution is more effective for seborrheic keratosis than 50% Trichloroacetic Acid, while demonstrating a comparatively favorable side-effect profile.

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