No effective interventions for molluscum contagiosum

There was moderate-quality evidence that topical 5% imiquimod was probably no more effective than vehicle in achieving short, medium and long-term clinical cure. High-quality evidence showed topical 5% imiquimod was no better than placebo at improving molluscum contagiosum at up to 3 months after the start of treatment. High-quality evidence showed 5% imiquimod differed little or not at all in the number of side effects compared with vehicle. However, moderate-quality evidence suggested there were probably more application site reactions when using topical 5% imiquimod compared with vehicle. Other non-effective interventions included cryospray, 10% potassium hydroxide; 10% Australian lemon myrtle oil, olive oil, 10% benzoyl peroxide cream, 0.05% tretinoin; 5% salicylic acid, 5% sodium nitrite co-applied with 5% salicylic acid, iodine, tea tree oil, homeopathic calcarea carbonica ,10% povidone iodine solution and 50% salicylic acid plaster. Follow-up duration ranged from 3 to 28 weeks after randomisation.