Hydrogen peroxide 1% cream under occlusion for treatment of molluscum contagiosum in an 8-month-old infant: an effective and safe treatment option

Treatment of molluscum contagiosum with hydrogen peroxide

“…Several therapeutic approaches have been suggested, including cantharidine, Echinacea spp., salicylic acid, potassium hydroxide, sodium nitrite, povidone iodine, benzoyl peroxide, imiquimod, cidofovir, cimetidine, curettage, cryotherapy and laser; however, according to the most recent Cochrane review, no treatment is actually effective . Some authors have stated that the percentage of remission obtained is 10% with potassium hydroxide plus povidone iodine, and 5% with sodium nitrite plus salicylic acid …”

“…No recurrence was observed over an average follow‐up period of 6 months . Furthermore, an 8‐month‐old girl with multiple MC lesions on the genital area was successfully treated with the same cream under occlusion . To our knowledge, no controlled clinical studies have been published.…”

Molluscum Contagiosum: Review and Update on Management

“…One case report suggested that hydrogen peroxide 1% applied under occlusion with every diaper change for a period of 1 week cleared genital MC lesions completely in an 8‐month‐old baby (no history of atopy was noted). The authors deduced that the occlusion led to augmented exposure of hydrogen peroxide to the virus and hence to quicker resolution.…”

“…Common side effects include mild erythema and irritation. There have been several case studies involving the use of hydrogen peroxide in MC , all of which had small sample sizes ( n = 1–12), although all demonstrated successful clearance of MC lesions with as little as 1 week of application . One case report suggested that hydrogen peroxide 1% applied under occlusion with every diaper change for a period of 1 week cleared genital MC lesions completely in an 8‐month‐old baby (no history of atopy was noted).…”

2020 European guideline on the management of genital molluscum contagiosum

“…twice‐daily application for three consecutive days with a break for four days, repeated as necessary until clearance 103,117,118 ( GRADE 1, C ). Other topical chemical treatments reported for non‐genital molluscum include salicylic, lactic, glycolic and trichloroacetic acids, 119–122 benzoyl peroxide, 123 hydrogen peroxide, 124 iodine, 125 potassium hydroxide, 104,105,126–128 silver nitrate, 129 nitric oxide, 130 cantharidin, 131–137 lemon myrtle oil, 138 tea tree oil, 139 tretinoin 123,140 and adapalene, 141 with varying evidence for efficacy but none specifically in genital infection ( GRADE 2, D ).…”