A Randomized Control Trial of 20% Glycolic Acid Versus 30% Salicylic Acid in the Management of Molluscum Contagiosum.

BACKGROUND

Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a common self-limiting viral infection of the skin. Many therapeutic agents have been used for it with varying success rates.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety profile of topical 20% glycolic acid and 30% salicylic acid in the treatment of MC in pediatric patients.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

All patients of MC between 1 and 15 years of age attending the outpatient department of dermatology were randomized into two treatment groups A and B. Group A was treated with 20% glycolic acid solution, and group B was treated with 30% salicylic acid solution daily for 4 weeks. Parents of patients were instructed to apply the medication once daily at night for 1 h on the lesions only. The assessment of response and side effects were analyzed in all the patients weekly for 4 weeks during the daily treatment protocol. Follow-up was done monthly for 3 months after the completion of therapy.

RESULTS

At the end of 4 weeks, group A patients (60 patients) were treated with 20% glycolic acid out of which 34 (56.66%) patients had a complete clearance of lesions. Group B patients were treated with 30% salicylic acid out of which 38 (63.33%) had a complete clearance of lesions. Secondary bacterial infection was the most common side effect followed by postinflammatory hyperpigmentation in both groups.

CONCLUSION

30% salicylic acid was found to be more effective and has less side-effect profile in the treatment of MC than 20% glycolic acid.