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.