Although treating contagious molluscum with 5% potassium hydroxide solution is common, some studies challenge its efficacy. Ten patients (aged 4-13) with a total of 141 lesions were evaluated. After 28 days of treatment there were 105 lesions (75% of the initial amount), none of which achieved total resolution. Persistent lesions were curetted in up to two sessions; 28 of the 105 lesions remained after treatment. The percentages of reduced or completely resolved lesions were higher for curettage than potassium hydroxide (71% x 9%, p = 0 .01 vs. 80% x 0%, p = 0.02).

Keywords: MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM, THERAPEUTICS, CURETTAGE

Introduction: Molluscum contagiosum is a dermatovirosis caused by a poxvirus. In the literature there are descriptions of different therapeutic approaches of this infection.
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of imiquimod – isolated and associated with curettage – in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum.
Methods: Group A: 20 patients used 5% imiquimod cream 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Group B: 10 patients used a creamy base 3 times a week, for 6 weeks. After the initial 6 weeks, all patients underwent curettage.
Results: Group A: 31% decrease in the number of lesions in the 6th week, with a curettage effectiveness of 97.6%; Group B: 4.8% increase in the number of lesions in the 6th week, with a curettage effectiveness of 81.1%. The mean value for the pain level during curettage was 1.8 for Group A and 3.0 for Group B.
Conclusions: Due to the facts that the rate of cure of contagious molluscum lesions increased and the pain decreased when the curettage procedure was conducted after the use of the immunomodulator, it was possible to conclude that the association of 5% imiquimod cream to the curettage may be a therapeutic possibility.

Keywords: Molluscum Contagiosum; Dermatology; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures

Tattooing is an ancient practice and very popular nowadays. The pigments used have changed over time but still present varied and poorly regulated compositions. There are many described cases of adverse effects after tattooing, mainly infectious and hypersensitivity reactions. We report the case of a 64-year-old woman, healthy, with papules on her eyebrows one month after performing micropigmentation. The excisional biopsy diagnosed molluscum contagiosum, and the lesions were curetted. There are few reports in the literature of the spread of molluscum contagiosum caused by tattooing.

Keywords: Molluscum contagiosum. Tattooing. Poxviridae infections.