A double-blind randomised, placebo-controlled trial of 20 children was conducted

A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial of 20 children was conducted by Short et al. (2006)2. The patients were randomised to receive either 10% potassium hydroxide or placebo, twice daily until signs of inflammation appeared. In 70% of patients treated with potassium hydroxide (and examined on days 1, 15, 30 60 and 90) the lesions cleared, whereas only 20% of the placebo group showed clearance of lesions.

In a letter to the journal Pediatric Dermatology, Romiti et al. (2000)3 summarised their findings from a trial of 20 children whose molluscum contagiosum all cleared within 6 weeks using a 5% solution of potassium hydroxide (i.e. MolluDab). This topical solution was as effective as the 10% potassium hydroxide the team had previously tested, but minimised skin irritation and stinging associated with the stronger concentration.

Jansen et al. (2007)4 also conducted a study of 21 children to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of 5% potassium hydroxide (i.e. MolluDab) applied twice daily on each lesion until a clinically visible inflammatory reaction was apparent. The authors confirmed the effectiveness and tolerability of potassium hydroxide with the added benefit of patient and parent compliance and simple application, making it suitable for home treatment. Potassium hydroxide vs other treatments

Tretinoin: Rajouria et al. (2011)5 undertook a study of 50 children comparing 5% potassium hydroxide (i.e. MolluDab) with tretinoin treatment, both showed a good response and were well tolerated by the children. However, 5% potassium hydroxide showed fast recovery and most lesions were resolved before the 4 week end-of-study period. With tretinoin treatment, the response was slightly more delayed and some lesions persisted after 4 weeks. Imiquimod: Metkar et al. (2008)6 compared 5% imiquimod cream and 10% potassium hydroxide solution in a 40-patient open, randomised study. The results demonstrated that both treatments were equally effective in treating molluscum contagiosum, although potassium hydroxide showed a faster onset of action. Sang-Hee et al. (2010)7 also investigated the safety and efficacy of 5% imiquimod cream versus 10% potassium hydroxide solution in treating molluscum contagiosum. The authors concluded that both solutions were effective and safe treatments of molluscum contagiosum and, considering the lower cost and faster clearance of lesions using potassium hydroxide, this could be a better option.

References

Pannell RS, Fleming DM and Cross KW. The incidence of molluscum contagiosum, scabies and lichen planus. Epidemiol. Infect. 2005, 133. 985-991 Short KA, Fuller C, Higgins, EM. Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of the Use of Topical 10% Potassium Hydroxide Solution in the Treatment of Molluscum Contagiosum. Pediatric Dermatology, 2006, Vol 23, No 3, 269-281 Romiti R, Ribeiro AP, Romiti N. Evaluation of the effectiveness of 5% potassium hydroxide for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum. Pediatr Dermatol. 2000 Nov-Dec; 17(6):493. Jansen T, Romiti R, Dissemond J and Grabbe S. Evaluation of the Efficacy and Tolerability of 5% Potassium Hydroxide in the Treatment of Molluscum Contagiosum in Childhood. Akt Dermatol. (German, abstract in English translated article available on request -see contact form) 2007; 33: 210-215 Rajouria EA, Amatya A and Karn D. Comparative Study of 5% Potassium Hydroxide Solution Versus 0.05% Tretinoin Cream for Molluscum Contagiosum in Children. Kathmandu Univ Med J. 2011:3(64):291-4 Metkar A, Pande S, Khopkar U. An open, non-randomized, comparative study of imiquimod 5% cream versus 10% potassium hydroxide treatment of molluscum contagiosum. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2008;74:614-8 Sang-Hee S, Hyun-Woo C, Dong-Wok J and Hyun-Woo S. An Open, Randomized, Comparative Clinical and Histological Study of Imiquimod 5% Cream Versus 10% Potassium Hydroxide Solution in the Treatment of Molluscum Contagiosum Ann Dermatol. 2010, Vol 22, No 2, 21

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