What type of treatment is available for molluscum?
Although molluscum will eventually resolve, lesions spread easily, may become infected, may be itchy or irritated, and are sometimes cosmetically objectionable. For these reasons, they are often removed. The treatment depends on the age of the patient and the size and location of the growths. Cantharone, a blistering agent made from beetles, is applied with a wooden applicator to the skin growth. The medicine should be washed off in 4 to 6 hours. A small blister usually forms in a few hours to one day. When the scab falls off, the growth is gone. This treatment is useful because the application is not painful; it is used carefully and selectively on the face and in skin creases. Occasionally no blistering occurs. Sometimes, the patient is quite sensitive and extensive blistering is seen. Scarring does not occur from Cantharone treatment. Although blisters are uncomfortable, they are very superficial and resolve within a few days. Compresses with lukewarm water and breaking the blisters
