Comparison of 10% potassium hydroxide solution versus cryotherapy in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum: an open randomized clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a common cutaneous viral infection. Potassium hydroxide (KOH), as a strong alkali, and cryotherapy have been used for its treatment. The objective of this study was to compare these two treatment modalities.


METHODS
30 patients, aged between 1 and 24 years of age, were randomly divided into 2 groups: 15 were treated with KOH 10% solution and 15 were treated with cryotherapy. KOH 10 % was applied by the patient or their parent(s) two times a day until the lesions disappeared completely. Cryotherapy was performed with liquid nitrogen spray, repeated weekly for 4 weeks. The assessment of response and side effects were performed weekly for 4 weeks.


RESULTS
In the KOH group, 86.6% had complete response, 6.7% had partial response and 6.7% had no response after 4 weeks. In the cryotherapy group, 93.3% had complete response and 6.7% had partial response. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p > 0.05). Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, as a side effect, was mostly noted with cryotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Both treatment modalities were equally effective. Since KOH is inexpensive and confers better cosmetic results compared to cryotherapy, it can be used as a suitable treatment modality for MC.
Department of Dermatology, Molecular Dermatology Research Center, Faghihi Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Shiraz , Iran .
Farhad
F
Handjani
Ebrahim
E
Behazin
Maryam Sadat
MS
Sadati
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003452:Cryosurgery; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006878:Hydroxides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008976:Molluscum Contagiosum / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055815:Young Adult
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D006878:Hydroxides; D017680:Potassium Compounds; C029943:potassium hydroxide