Efficacy and safety of trichloroacetic acid 35% versus adapalene 0.1% in treatment of molluscum contagiosum in children

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of topical trichloroacetic acid (TCA) 35% versus topical adapalene 0.1% in molluscum contagiosum (MC) in children. Methods Sixty children with MCs were divided in two equal groups. Thirty patients in group A received treatment with topical 35% TCA weekly and 30 patients in group B received treatment with topical 0.1% adapalene once daily. The patients were followed till 6 weeks for efficacy and safety. Results The efficacy of TCA and adapalene was observed in 25 (83.3%) and 20 (66.7%) patients, respectively (p > 0.136). The safety of TCA and adapalene was seen among 21 (70%) and 29 (96.7%) patients, respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusion The efficacy of TCA was not significantly higher than adapalene. However, adapalene is more safe than TCA.