A nail polish composition for use in the treatment of cutaneous verrucae (warts), comprises at least one pharmaceutically acceptable corrosive agent to cause peeling of the warts, and one or more preservative agents which are antibacterial and/or antifungal, and further possess an antiviral activity sufficient to kill human papilloma virus (HPV) virions within the warts thereby reducing the recurrence of warts. Preferred corrosive agents include salicylic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, trichloroacetic acid and ascorbic acid. Preferably the antiviral preservative agent(s) are selected from behenic alcohol (aka behenyl alcohol, docosanol or docosyl alcohol), phenol, cresol, thymol, resorcinol, pine tar and/or pine oil； combinations may be advantageous； preferred amounts range between 0.05% to 10% by weight of the composition.
