Molluscum contagiosum (MC) causes a significant impact on the quality of life of caregivers and on the activities of their children with MC, according to a poster presented at Maui Derm Connect 2021.
MC is a common pediatric viral skin infection, but its impact on the experience of caring for a child the disease is largely unknown. To better understand its impact, Kwong et al performed a paid online survey of caregivers of children with MC.
For the survey, parents, caregivers, and legal guardians of children (age range, 3-16 years) diagnosed with MC within the past 4 years were recruited from a pool of previously recruited respondents. Participants answered a number of questions including the type of provider consulted about the diagnosis, treatments used in the clinic and at home, and the impact of MC on the caregiver and the child.
In total, 154 responses were received. Out of these participants, 80% were women, 85% were White (10% Black, 4% Asian, and 1% for both Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and for American Indian/Alaskan Native). The median number of persons living in the respondent household was 4, and the median age of children in the home was 8 years.
When asked to select the strength of agreement to the statement “I worried about what people thought about our family having a child with MC,” 62% of respondents indicated somewhat agree or strongly agree. Further, when asked about the impact of MC on the child’s or on the caregiver’s life, 74% and 63%, respectively, indicated a moderate impact or major impact.
For diagnosis, the average number of health care professionals (HCPs) consulted for the MC diagnosis per caregiver was 1.95. HCPs included dermatologists, emergency room physicians, family practice physicians, infectious disease specialists, and pediatricians. Of all HCPs, pediatricians were consulted by 56% of respondents, dermatologists by 42%, and family practice physicians by 40%. Pediatricians diagnosed MC in 49% of interactions, family practice physicians in 37% of interactions, and dermatologists in 34%.
HCPs most often offered treatment options, but they recommended active nonintervention in 39% of interactions.
The average number of treatments tried by caregivers was 2.36 according to respondents. Of these, MC treatment from a pharmacy or online store (not requiring a prescription) was tried by 44% of respondents, home remedies in 43%, cryotherapy/cryosurgery by 41%, cantharidin in 39%, and in-office curettage or squeezing/removing lesions at home by 31%.
Based on these results, the authors stated, there is a strong need to further educate HCPs on the diagnosis and impact of MC. Given that many caregivers indicated the use of at-home remedies, to the point of at-home lesion removal, there is a need for the development of a safe, effective treatment option for MC.
Reference
Kwong P, Herbert A, Utley C, Olivadoti M. The hidden impact of molluscum contagiosum: suvery of caregivers’ experiences with diagnosis and management. Poster presented at: Maui Derm Connect; January 25-29, 2021; Maui, HI.
