Molluscum contagiosum is a common skin infection that affects many children and adults. It causes small, raised bumps on the skin that are usually harmless but can be bothersome. Understanding the best treatments for molluscum contagiosum is important for managing the condition effectively. This blog will review various treatment options and compare their effectiveness based on medical studies.
Overview of Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a virus called the Molluscum contagiosum virus. The infection leads to small, firm bumps on the skin that can be pink, white, or skin-colored. These bumps often have a dimple in the center. The condition spreads through direct skin contact or by touching contaminated objects like towels or clothing.
General Treatment Methods
Molluscum contagiosum is treated in ways similar to warts. Here are some common methods:
Freezing with Liquid Nitrogen: This method, known as cryotherapy, uses extreme cold to destroy the bumps. Liquid nitrogen is applied to the bumps, causing them to freeze and eventually fall off.
Acid Treatments: Various acids, like salicylic or lactic acid, are applied to dissolve the bumps. These acids break down the skin cells, causing the bumps to shrink and disappear over time.
Blistering Solutions: Solutions like cantharidin cause the bumps to blister and fall off. Cantharidin is painted on the bumps, creating blisters that lift the bumps away from the skin.
Electric Needle: This uses electricity to burn off the bumps. A heated needle or probe is used to destroy the bumps through electrical current.
Curettage: The bumps are scraped off with a sharp instrument called a curette. This procedure physically removes the bumps from the skin.
Topical Treatments: Creams like retinoids, immune modifiers, or anti-viral medications are applied to the skin. These treatments work by enhancing the immune response or directly targeting the virus.
Laser Therapy: This uses focused light to remove the bumps. The laser targets the affected skin, destroying the bumps without harming the surrounding tissue.
These treatments can cause discomfort, especially freezing, scraping, the electric needle, and laser therapy. They are often reserved for older children and adults due to the pain. If there are many growths, multiple treatment sessions might be needed every three to six weeks until the growths are gone.
It's important to note that if most bumps are treated but not all, the person remains contagious. In some cases, especially with young children, it might be better not to treat the bumps and wait for them to go away on their own. However, the child will be contagious for as long as the bumps remain, which can be up to 5 years.
Detailed Comparison of Treatment Options
Curettage
Curettage involves scraping off the bumps with a sharp instrument under topical anesthesia. In a randomized trial of 124 children aged 1 to 16 years, curettage required the fewest follow-up visits for the resolution of all 10 lesions, with 81 percent of patients needing only one visit. Parent and patient satisfaction with curettage was highest at 87 per cent. This method caused the least discomfort and required fewer follow-up visits compared to other treatments.
Cantharidin
Cantharidin is a blistering solution applied to the bumps for two to four hours. In the same study, cantharidin required only one visit 37 percent of the time. Parent and patient satisfaction with cantharidin was 60 percent. Cantharidin is less painful than some other methods but might need more follow-up visits.
Salicylic/Lactic Acid
A combination of 16.7% salicylic acid and 16.7% lactic acid is applied three times per week. In the trial, this treatment required only one visit 54 percent of the time. However, parent and patient satisfaction was lower at 32 percent, and adverse effects were most common in this group, with 53 percent of patients experiencing side effects.
Imiquimod Cream
Imiquimod 5% cream is applied three times per week. The study showed that imiquimod required only one visit 57 percent of the time. Parent and patient satisfaction was 45 percent. Imiquimod works by boosting the immune system to fight the virus but may cause skin irritation.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy therapy involves freezing the bumps with liquid nitrogen. In a four-week trial with 30 patients aged 1 to 24, cryotherapy was compared to potassium hydroxide (KOH). After four weeks, 93 percent of patients in the cryotherapy group had complete clearance of lesions. Side effects included transient hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation.
Potassium Hydroxide (KOH)
KOH 10% solution is applied twice daily. In the same trial, 87 percent of patients using KOH had complete clearance of lesions after four weeks. Like cryotherapy, KOH can cause changes in skin color as side effects.
When to Treat Molluscum Contagiosum
Treatment for molluscum contagiosum is optional since the bumps will eventually heal on their own. However, there are reasons to choose treatment:
Cosmetic Concerns: The bumps can be unsightly and embarrassing, especially if they are on visible areas like the face or arms.
Preventing Spread: Treating the bumps can help prevent the infection from spreading to other body areas, siblings, or playmates.
Treatment usually depends on where the growths are located, your preferences, and the preferences of your healthcare provider. No single treatment has proven to be the "best," and the choice often involves balancing effectiveness with potential side effects and discomfort.
Side Effects of Treatments
All treatments can cause side effects such as pain, skin irritation, skin discoloration, and scarring. For instance, cryotherapy, curettage, and laser therapy can be painful, which is why they are often not recommended for young children. Salicylic acid can cause skin irritation, and cantharidin can cause blistering.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while many options are available, pinpointing the best treatments for molluscum contagiosum requires careful consideration of effectiveness and patient tolerance. High-quality data on the effects and efficiency of treatments for molluscum contagiosum are limited, and treatment for molluscum in children is optional since the molluscum will eventually heal on its own. Therefore, it's important to discuss with a healthcare provider to choose the most suitable treatment based on individual cases and preferences.
By understanding the different treatments and their outcomes, patients and parents can make informed decisions about managing molluscum contagiosum.
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