FDA warns of wart removers catching fire

The FDA recently warned that cryogenic wart removers have caught fire during home use, harming consumers or damaging household items.

Fourteen reports about over-the-counter wart remover products, containing a mixture of liquid dimethyl ether and propane, have been received by the FDA since 2009, according to a consumer update. The FDA regulates wart removers as medical devices. Warts are caused by human papillomavirus infection.

“The labeling for these products clearly states that they are flammable and should be kept away from fire, flame, heat sources and cigarettes,” FDA nurse consultant Karen Nast, RN, said in the update. Reported injuries included blisters, burns, and singed hair.

While three of the reports said there was a candle nearby, the others did not identify an ignition source.

“This is extremely concerning, especially because people may not be aware that everyday household items like curling irons and straight irons can be hot enough to be an ignition source for these products,” Nast said.

According to the update, the dispensers generally caught fire when the pressurized canister’s mixture of liquid dimethyl ether and propane was released while users applied it to the warts.

Consumers have been advised to inform the FDA of cryogenic-related fires at the FDA’s MedWatch alert system.