Comparative study of 10% potassium hydroxide and 0.05% tretinoin in treatment of molluscum contagiosum in children

10%KOH and 0.05% trenoin in pediatric Molluscum treatment

Authors

  • Soumya Ruvva Department of Dermatology, Pinnamaneni Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Foundation, Andhra Pradesh, India
  • Haritha Samamthula Samamthula Professor and HOD, Department of Dermatology, Pinnamaneni Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Foundation, Andhra Pradesh, India
  • Swetha Chowdary Atluri Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Pinnamaneni Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Foundation, Andhra Pradesh, India

Keywords:

Molluscum contagiosum, 10% KOH, 0.05% tretinoin

Abstract

Objective  To evaluate the benefits of 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) and 0.05% tretinoin in the management of molluscum contagiosum (MC) in children.   Methods In the present study, thirty patients presenting with MC in the paediatric age group were sorted into two groups of 15 each randomly; Group A and Group B. Group A patients were advised to apply 10% KOH and those in group B  0.05% tretinoin cream daily on the lesions and were followed up every 2 weeks till 8 weeks.   Results  At the end of 8th weeks, 14 (93.3%) patients showed complete response in Group A (KOH group). In Group B (tretinoin group), 7 (46.7%) patients showed good response while 7 (46.7%) patients showed complete response. At all stages of assessment (2, 4, 6, 8 weeks), results in group A were better when compared to group B with P-value <0.01 which is statistically significant. Burning and pigmentary changes were side effects associated with KOH solution whereas erythema and scaling were seen with tretinoin.   Conclusion 10% KOH has faster onset of action and is more efficacious when compared to 0.05% tretinoin in the childhood MC management. However one must be watchful for side effects.  

References

Hanson D, Diven DG. Molluscum contagiosum. Dermatol Online J. 2003;9(2):2.

Leung AKC, Barankin B, Hon KLE. Molluscum contagiosum: an update. Recent Pat Inflamm Allergy Drug Discov. 2017;11(1):22-31.

Olsen JR, Gallacher J, Piguet V, Francis NA. Epidemiology of molluscum contagiosum in children: a systematic review. Fam Pract. 2014;31(2):130-36.

Olsen JR, Piguet V, Gallacher J, Francis NA. Molluscum contagiosum and associations with atopic eczema in children: a retrospective longitudinal study in primary care. Br J Gen Pract. 2016;66(642):e53–e58.

Valentine CL, Diven DG. Treatment modalities for molluscum contagiosum. Dermatol Ther. 2000;13:285-9.

Bateman F. Molluscum contagiosum. In: Shelley WB, Crissey JT, editors. Classics in Dermatology. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas; 1953:20.

Smith KJ, Skelton H. Molluscum contagiosum: recent advances in pathogenic mechanisms, and new therapies. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2002;3(8):535-45.

Griffith RD, Yazdani Abyaneh MA, Falto-Aizpurua L, Nouri K. Pulsed dye laser therapy for molluscum contagiosum: a systematic review. J Drugs Dermatol. 2014;13(11):1349-52.

Coloe Dosal J, Stewart PW, Lin JA, Williams CS, Morrell DS. Cantharidin for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum: a prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Pediatr Dermatol. 2014;31(4):440-9.

Meza-Romero R, Navarrete-Dechent C, Downey C. Molluscum contagiosum: an update and review of new perspectives in etiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:373-81.

Jangid NC, Madhusudan KS, Brahmbhatt VU, Jashwantlal BS. Efficacy of potassium hydroxide in patient of giant molluscum contagiosum: Use of common agent with a novel technique. Indian J Sex Transm Dis. 2022;43:226-7.

Can B, Topaloglu F, Kavala M, Turkoglu Z, Zindanci I, Sudogan S. Treatment of pediatric molluscum contagiosum with 10% potassium hydroxide solution. J Dermatolog Treat. 2014;25(3):246-8.

Lee R, Schwartz RA. Pediatric molluscum contagiosum: reflections on the last challenging poxvirus infection, Part 2. Cutis. 2010;86(6):287-92.

Thieltz A, Gollnick H. Topical retinoids in acne vulgaris. Update on efficacy and safety. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2008;9:369-81.

Liu PT, Krutzik SR, Kim J, Modlin RL. Cutting edge: all-trans retinoic acid down-regulates TLR2 expression and function. J Immunol. 2005;174(5):2467-70.

Tenaud I, Khammari A, Dreno B. In vitro modulation of TLR-2, CD1d and IL-10 by adapalene on normal human skin and acne inflammatory lesions. Exp Dermatol. 2007;16:500-6.

Mahajan BB, Pall A, Gupta RR. Topical 20% KOH-An effective therapeutic modality for molluscum contagiosum in children. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2003;69:175-7.

Vippan Goyal et al. A comparative study of efficacy of 10% KOH, Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and 0.05% tretinoin for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum,Sch. J App Med Sci. 2014;2(4A):1196-8.

Romiti R, Ribeiro AP, Romiti N. Evaluation of the effectiveness of 5% potassium hydroxide for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum. Pediatr Dermatol. 2000;17(6):495.

Short KA, Fuller C, Higgins EM. Double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial of the use of topical 10% KOH solution in treatment of molluscum contagiosum. Pediatr Dermatol. 2006;23:279-81.

Rajouria EA, Amatya A, Karn D. Comparative study of 5% potassium hydroxide solution versus 0.05% tretinoin cream for Molluscum Contagiosum in children. Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ). 2011;9:291-4.

Downloads

Published

2024-10-11

Issue

Vol. 34 No. 4 (2024): October-December

Section

Original Articles