Treating molluscum contagiosum

Treatment for molluscum contagiosum (MC) is not routinely recommended because most cases clear up in around 6 to 18 months without the need for treatment.

If left alone, MCdoesn't tend toresult in scarring orcause any symptoms other than spots.

Many of thetreatments available for MC can be painful and may beupsetting for young children, and some may increase the chances of permanent scarring.

Treatment is usually only recommended for adults and older children who have spots that are particularly unsightly and are affecting their quality of life.

Treatment is also recommended for people with weakened immune systems,as the condition can take several years to clear in these cases.

Topical treatments

There are anumber of topical treatments (creams, lotions and ointments) that can be used to treat MC, although there's not enough evidence to know if any particular treatment is more effective than the others.

Potassium hydroxide

Potassium hydroxide is a medication available in liquid form thatcan improve MC by breaking down the skin cells infected by the virus, allowing the immune system to tackle it.

The liquidisapplied twice a day on each spot. The spots shouldeventually become inflamed, before healing and disappearing withinthe next fewweeks.

You should stop using the medication once the spots have started to become inflamed, or after 14 days if the medication doesn't seem to be working.

Side effects of potassium hydroxide can include redness and a slight burning or itching sensation, which usually only lasts for a few minutes after the medication is applied.

Podophyllotoxin

Podophyllotoxincomes in liquid form andpoisons the cells of the spots. A special application stick is used to draw up the correct dosage of liquid, which is then dripped onto each spot. You mayexperience some mild irritation.

The treatment will need to be applied for a few days, followed by a few days without treatment. This is referred to as a treatment cycle.

Imiquimod

Imiquimodis a cream thatcanbe used to treat larger spots or large clusters of spots. It works by stimulating your immune system into attacking the spots. You apply the cream to the spots, then wash it off after 6-10 hours. This should be done three times a week.

It may take several weeks of treatment before you notice an improvement. Common side effects of imiquimod include:

  • hard and flaky skin
  • redness and swelling of the skin
  • a burning or itching sensation after applying the cream
  • Headaches

These side effects are usually mild and should pass within two weeks of stopping treatment.

Benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxideis usually available in cream or gel form. It'sapplied to the spots once or twice a day, after washing and drying the affected area.Use benzoyl peroxide sparingly, because too much can harm your skin.

Benzoyl peroxide makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so either avoid excessive exposure to sunlight and ultra-violet (UV) light, or wear sun cream. Avoid getting the medication on hair andclothes, as it can bleach them. Wash your hands thoroughly after you finish applying the medication.

Common side effects of benzoyl peroxide include:

  • dry andred skin
  • a burning, itching or stinging sensation
  • some peeling of the skin

These side effects are usually mild and should resolve after the treatment has finished.

Tretinoin

Tretinoinis availableas a liquid thatis applied once or twice a day to individual spots. As with benzoyl peroxide, tretinoin can make your skin sensitive to sunlight and UV light.

Tretinoin is not suitable for use during pregnancy because it can cause birth defects. It's important to use a reliable method of contraception while taking tretinoin if you are a sexually active woman.

The most common side effects of tretinoin are mild irritation and stinging of the skin. Itmay take several months before you notice an improvement in your symptoms.

Other treatments

There are a number of minor procedures that can help remove or destroyMC spots.

They can be painful, so arenot generally suitable for children, and they must always be carried out by a suitably qualified healthcare professional.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy involves freezing the spotswith liquid nitrogen to remove them. Eachspot is frozen for 5-10 seconds, so that a layer of ice forms over the spot and surrounding skin.

You may need several sessions of cryotherapy before each spot clears completely. You will need to wait two to three weeks between each treatment session.

Diathermy

Diathermy uses heat to remove the spots. The area being treated is numbed with a local anaesthetic and a heated electrical device is usedto burn off the spots.

Curettage

Curettage removesspots by scraping them off with a thin, metal, spoon-likeinstrument called a curette. As with diathermy, you may have a local anaesthetic before having this type of treatment.

Pulsed-dye lasers

Pulsed-dye laser treatment is arelatively new type of treatment for MC. It uses a powerful beam of light to destroy the cells that make up each spot.You may experience some skin discolouration and discomfort in the treated areas, but this should improve within a few weeks. The procedure may need to be repeated several times to clear all of your spots.

Pulsed-dye laser treatment uses expensive equipment and its availability on the NHSis limited. Therefore, you will probably have to pay privately for the treatment, which can be expensive.



Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 30 Jun 2016