Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of hydrogen peroxide in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum in children compared to potassium hydroxide: a pilot study

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of hydrogen peroxide in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum in children compared to potassium hydroxide: a pilot study Dear Editor, Molluscum contagiosum (MC), an infectious dermatosis caused by a virus of the Poxviridae family, 1 mainly affects children, with transmission occurring through direct contact. 2It presents as 2 to 3 mm, rounded, pink, or normochromic papules, with central umbilication and a plug of caseous material. 3Although considered a self-limited disease, its treatment alleviates discomfort, and prevents infectious complications, transmission, and self-inoculation, 3 refraining social marginalization of the patient and parental anxiety.There are several types of therapy for MC 2---4 but many of these methods can generate uncomfortable effects that make adherence difficult, leading to therapeutic failure, anxiety and psychological trauma for children and families. 4 widely studied method is a 5% potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution, which, despite being effective, causes uncomfortable side effects, such as pain and dyschromia. 5Therefore, it is necessary to search for other treatment options that may bring more comfort and adherence to therapy.A promising option is hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ).It has antimicrobial action through the oxidation of viral molecules, damaging their DNA and leading to cytotoxicity, 6 but without major damage to adjacent tissue.Thus, its adverse effects are generally mild. 7However, there is still a scarcity of studies demonstrating its real efficacy and safety. 8ccordingly, this study evaluated the efficacy and safety of using H 2 O 2 1% cream as MC treatment in pediatric patients.And, it was comparared with KOH 5% solution, through a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study with 30 patients with MC, aged 2 to 16 years, who had had no treatment for the disease in the previous six months, randomly allocated into three treatment groups