“COMPARISON OF 10% POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE (KOH) SOLUTION V/S 5% IMIQUIMOD CREAM V/S ORAL RANITIDINE IN THE TREATMENT OF MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM”

Context: The majority of treatment options in molluscum contagiosum traumatise the lesions and must be performed in a hospital, making patients anxious.Aims: This study aims at comparing 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution, 5% imiquimod cream and oral ranitidine in the treatment of MC in search for an alternative therapy.Settings and Design: The study was carried out at a tertiary care hospital in the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, from January 2021 to September 2022; with triple group cohorts.Methods and Material: Patients having atleast three MC lesions aged between 5-54 years were enrolled in the study and were allocated into three groups, A, B, and C, each with 30 patients. Group A patients were instructed to apply the 10% KOH solution, group B received 0.25 g sachets of 5% imiquimod cream and group C received oral ranitidine at a dose of 5 mg/kg/day in two divided doses for eight weeks.Statistical analysis used: To compare the groups of data, ANOVA test was used.Results: At the end of this study, complete clearance of lesions was seen in 36% (9/25) patients in group A, 33.33% (7/25) patients in Group B and 15.80% (3/19) patients in group C. 48% (12/25) patients in Group A showed adverse effects in contrast to Group B with only 50% (6/12) patients showing adverse effects. No adverse events were reported among the patients in Group C.Conclusions: It would seem reasonable to use 10% KOH solution because it is effective and affordable, albeit with a few minor side effects.