SynthesisThe Cochrane database of systematic reviews2006
Interventions for cutaneous molluscum contagiosum.
Synthesis in The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2006. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 21 citations in OpenAlex.
- Interventions for cutaneous molluscum contagiosum.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2017Pooled it
- Improving Molluscum Treatment Options: Overcoming the Challenge of Poor Adherence.The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology · 2025Review
- New Developing Treatments for Molluscum Contagiosum.Dermatology and therapy · 2022Review
- Molluscum contagiosum: an update and review of new perspectives in etiology, diagnosis, and treatment.Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology · 2019Review
Corrections and comments
- Updated by
Authors and funding
8 authors at 4 institutions in 3 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundMolluscum contagiosum is a common skin infection, caused by a virus, which will usually resolve within months in people with a normal immune system. Many treatments have been promoted for molluscum contagiosum but a clear evidence base supporting them is lacking.
objectivesTo assess the effects of management strategies (including waiting for natural resolution) for cutaneous, non-genital molluscum contagiosum in healthy people. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Skin Group Specialised Register (March 2004), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (2004, Issue 2), MEDLINE (from 1966 to March 2004), EMBASE (from 1980 to March 2004) and LILACS (from 1982 to March 2004) databases. We also searched reference lists and contacted pharmaceutical companies and experts in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials for treatment of molluscum contagiosum were investigated. Trials on sexually transmitted molluscum contagiosum and in people with lowered immunity (including those with HIV infection) were excluded. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Study selection and assessment of methodological quality were carried out by two independent authors. As similar comparisons between two interventions were not made in more than one study, statistical pooling was not performed. MAIN
resultsFive studies, with a total number of 137 participants, examined the effects of topical (three studies), systemic and homoeopathic interventions (one study each). Limited evidence was found for sodium nitrite co-applied with salicylic acid compared to salicylic acid alone (risk ratio (RR) 3.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23 to 9.92). No statistically significant differences were found for topical povidone iodine plus salicylic acid compared to povidone iodine alone (RR of cure 1.67, 95% CI 0.81 to 3.41) or compared to salicylic acid alone. Also no statistically significant differences were found for potassium hydroxide compared to placebo; systemic treatment with cimetidine versus placebo or systemic treatment with calcarea carbonica, a homoeopathic drug, versus placebo (RR 5.57, 95% CI 0.93 to 33.54). Study limitations included no blinding (two studies), many dropouts (three studies) and no intention-to-treat analysis (two studies); small study sizes may have led to important differences being missed. None of the evaluated treatment options were associated with serious adverse effects. AUTHORS'
conclusionsNo single intervention has been shown to be convincingly effective in treating molluscum contagiosum.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.