Treatment of molluscum contagiosum with potassium hydroxide: a clinical approach in 35 children.

Potassium hydroxide (KOH) is a strong alkali that has long been known to digest proteins, lipids, and most other epithelial debris of skin scrapings to identify fungal infections. To our knowledge, KOH has never been used for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum (MC). We evaluated 35 children with MC for the clinical effectiveness of treatment with topical 10% KOH aqueous solution. The solution was applied by the parents of affected children, twice daily, on each MC lesion. The therapy was continued until all lesions underwent inflammation and superficial ulceration. Thirty-two of 35 patients achieved complete clinical cure after a mean treatment period of 30 days. Three children discontinued treatment: two reported severe stinging of the lesions and refused further applications; the other, with giant MC lesions, developed a secondary infection with prolonged treatment. Therapy with KOH was found to be effective and safe in the treatment of MC in children.

Button battery ingestion: assessment of therapeutic modalities and battery discharge state.

Button batteries immersed in a simulated gastric environment (0.1N hydrochloric acid) demonstrated less crimp dissolution (corrosion of the metal can) after the addition of neutralizing doses of eight of nine antacids tested. Of 64 ingestion episodes in dogs, clinical manifestations of button battery-induced injury were limited to a single animal developing guaiac-positive stools. Endoscopic lesions included only mild gastritis, occurring with a frequency comparable to that observed in dogs prior to battery ingestion. After ingestion blood mercury levels were not significantly elevated. Crimp dissolution was absent in discharged cells, implying a decreased risk of electrolyte leakage or subsequent tissue injury in patients who ingest spent cells. No protective effect of metoclopramide, cimetidine, or magnesium citrate could be demonstrated in the canine model.