Molluscum contagiosum has ‘substantial impact’ on children, caregivers

ByMadison Weller

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A survey of caregiver experiences showed that molluscum contagiosum affects child and caregiver quality of life.

“Molluscum contagiosum is a common pediatric viral skin infection that is considered benign and self-limiting. However, it may affect the quality of life in patients and their caregivers dealing with the disease,” Pearl Kwong, MD, PhD, and colleagues wrote in the poster presented at the Masters of Pediatric Dermatology Symposium. “The experience of caregiving for a child with molluscum is largely unknown, including the emotional burden, effort for diagnosis and treatment modalities used for molluscum.”

Caregivers (women, 80%) completed an online 15-minute survey on the diagnosis, treatment and impact of molluscum contagiosum. Among the 154 respondents, the median household size was four people, with 61% having a household size of four to five people; more respondents lived in a city (51%) or suburb (42%) vs. a small town or rural area (7%). Patients were aged 3 to 16 years, and the median age of all children in the home was 8 years.

The data showed that molluscum contagiosum affected both patients and caregivers. Among caregivers, 25% reported a major impact and 38% reported a moderate impact on themselves; with respect to the patient’s activities, 27% of caregivers reported a major impact and 47% reported a moderate impact.

Although 79% of respondents reported remembering a physician advising that molluscum contagiosum is contagious, 60% indicated that the disease spread to another child in the household, and 3% indicated that the diagnosis had no impact on the child’s activities.

Patients and caregivers consulted with an average of 1.95 health care providers and received diagnoses from “numerous sources,” the researchers wrote. The data suggested that “caregivers may have sought and received a diagnosis ... from more than one HCP type,” they wrote, including dermatologists (34%), ER physicians (21%), family practice physicians (37%), infectious disease specialists (23%) and pediatricians (49%).

After diagnosis, “many molluscum patients do not receive treatment,” according to the researchers. Caregivers reported that 61% of health care providers offered treatment options vs. 39% who recommended active non-intervention. Caregivers and patients who opted to treat the molluscum contagiosum tried an average of 2.36 treatments, including cryotherapy or cryosurgery (41%), curettage (31%), cantharidin (39%), home remedies (43%), over-the-counter treatments (44%), home squeezing or removal of lesions or lesion cores (31%) or another form of treatment (7%).

“There is an unmet need for education of HCPs regarding the diagnosis and impact of molluscum, in addition to safe and effective treatment options for the infection,” the researchers wrote. “Caregivers reported a substantial impact on their quality of life and on the activities of their children with molluscum.”

Sources/Disclosures

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Source:

Kwong P, et al. The hidden impact of molluscum contagiosum: Survey of caregivers’ experiences with diagnosis and management. Presented at: Masters of Pediatric Dermatology Symposium; Feb. 4-5, 2021 (virtual meeting).

Disclosures: Kwong reports she has received honoraria and clinical funds from Verrica Pharmaceuticals, which sponsored the study and funded editorial support. Please see the study for all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.