Comparative Study of 5 % Potassium Hydroxide Solution Versus 0.05% Tretinoin Cream for Molluscum Contagiosum in Children

Abstract

BackgroundMolluscum contagiosum is one of the commonest cutaneous viral infections in children. All treatment modalities are associated with substantial pain, tissue destruction, and frequent recurrence. ObjectivesTo compare the efficacy and side effects of KOH 5% solution with tretinoin 0.05% cream for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum in children. MethodsFifty patients were randomly divided into 2 groups; 25 each for 5% KOH solution and 0.05% tretinoin cream. The given medication was applied at bed time over molluscum lesions. The assessment of response and side effects were performed weekly for 4 weeks. ResultsAt the end of 4 weeks, the mean lesion count decreased from 9.48±3.00 SD to 1.67±0.58 SD and from 8.35±2.82 SD to 2.00±1.00 SD in patients treated with 5% KOH solution and 0.05% tretinoin cream respectively. ConclusionThe result of both KOH and tretinoin showed good response, well tolerated by children but between the two, KOH showed fast recovery and most lesions were resolved before 4 week. The side effects could be minimized if applied as stated above. On the other hand, tretinoin showed delayed response and even some of lesion extended beyond 4 week but the side effect were less, and hence can be used in recurrent cases.

Molluscum Contagiosum: Review and Update on Management

“…Although there are many trials, few are RCTs. The largest RCTs support the use of salicylic acid , KOH , imiquimod , cantharidin , curettage , and lemon myrtle oil in the treatment of MC lesions. The studies on PDL treatment appear promising, but larger trials have not been conducted.…”

“…Short et al conducted an RCT in 20 children 2 to 12 years of age and found that 10% KOH induced MC lesion clearance in 70% of the treatment group versus only 10% of the control arm (normal saline placebo applied) when the agents were applied twice daily until inflammatory changes appeared. KOH has also been compared with alternative treatments, including tretinoin and imiquimod (Table ).…”

Periocular molluscum contagiosum: six different clinical presentations

“…Numerous and varied treatments have been suggested over the years. Some of them are superficial and include home topical treatments with dilute povidone-iodine/ dimethyl sulphoxide preparation (Capriotti et al 2016) or 0.05% tretinoin cream (Rajouria et al 2011) or 10% potassium hydroxide solution (Chathra et al 2015). Other more invasive treatments include curettage (Harel et al 2016), cryotherapy and laser surgery (Lio 2007).…”

Tratamento de Molusco Contagioso em crianças: uma revisão sistemática de literatura

“…Outro método citado nos artigos foi a tretinoína creme 0,05%, que, comparada ao KOH 5%, apresentou eficácia semelhante, porém com demora na resolução, de acordo com Rajouria et al 29 A injeção intralesional do antígeno da Cândida visa a manipulação do sistema imune a fim de atingir uma resposta imune específica, tendo sido realizados estudos prévios envolvendo injeções intralesionais de Cândida, caxumba e tricophyton em verrugas -utilizados devido as altas taxas de resposta imune corporais a esses patógenos na população em geral. …”