DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2014.v02i04.004

Pages: 1196-1198

Molluscum contagiosum is a common cutaneous infection seen in children and young adults. It is caused by the Molluscum contagiosum virus which is a DNA virus. Its mode of transmission is by contact with an infected person or fomites or autoinoculation. Although it is a self limiting condition, a decision may be made in favour of active therapy to prevent further spread, relieve symptoms, to prevent scarring and for cosmetic and social reasons. The current treatment modalities include physical destruction of the lesion by curettage, cryosurgery or manual expression and topical application of caustic agents such as trichloroacetic acid, cantharidin, silver nitrate etc. These therapeutic approaches have to be undertaken in a hospital setup and are not well tolerated by children owing to substantial pain and fear. In addition, these can also result in scarring and abscess formation. Topical application of 10% KOH solution and 0.05% Tretinoin cream are two relatively painless modalities that have been used with success in the treatment of Molluscum contagiosum. The objectives were to compares the efficacy and side effects of 10% KOH, TCA and 0.05% tretinoin cream in the treatment of Molluscum contagiosum. Sixty patients were randomly divided into 3 groups.The Group I have given 10% KOH solution to be applied at bed timeover molluscum lesions. The Group II has given 0.05% tretinoin cream to be applied at bed time over lesions. The Group III applied TCA in OPD.