Hello Doctor, My fourteen-year-old son has been on combination therapy for almost two years. His health has been excellent in that time, in fact he hasn't been sick even one day. However over the last few months he has developed widespread warts. We went to a dermatologist who prescribed an over the counter topical wart remover, Occlusal HP 17% salicyllic acid. I've been applying the medicine for the last week, and there has been some improvement. However, I don't see how this is a practical course of action with so many warts (note: they are not really noticeable unless you look close up, but when you do you see how extensive they are). I'll be returning to the dermatologist shortly but am trying to educate myself on this particular problem. I haven't found too much on this problem. The dermatologist said that burning the warts was not recommended as the particles could be inhaled. Freezing them is also not recommended as my son is African-American and freezing leaves noticeable differences in pigmentation. Any advice? Thank you.

If your son's warts are numerous but small, a new topical prescription drug called imiquimod (Aldara) may be helpful. If your dermatologist isn't familiar with this, see another dermatologist or check back with his HIV doctor.