New Option for Molluscum Expected Soon

Perhaps the most important measure a dermatologist can take after diagnosing a patient with molluscum is to reassure them that it is not a big deal, Practical Dermatology Associate Medical Editor Elizabeth (Lisa) Swanson, MD, FAAD, said at Winter Clinical Hawaii 2025 in Waikoloa Village, Hawaii. The next most important step could soon be prescribing berdazimer gel.

“We are eagerly anticipating the arrival of berdazimer gel. … We are hoping for this in late spring,” Dr. Swanson said. “It’s a topical for at-home use once a day. Very excited about that.”

The relatively innocuous nature of molluscum should be emphasized to patients and parents, however, Dr. Swanson said.

“There’s a lot of angst over molluscum in parents and kids,” she said. “I say, ‘Every kid gets this. Treatment is available but not mandatory. While more distressing, they pose no increased danger on the face or in the underwear area. The uglier they look, the happier I am, because that implies immune response.’ … And the silver lining is you only get them once.”

Dr. Swanson noted that candida and cantharidin are treatment options as well for molluscum. Candida can be used via a 0.3-mL injection every 3 to 4 weeks, typically with a total of three to five treatments, she said, and it is “very well tolerated.” With cantharidin, the clinician should consider just treating four to five lesions the first time, and caution should be exercised when treating the axilla or the underwear area, she said; an FDA-approved form of cantharidin 0.7% solution is now available and has been shown to result in complete clearance in 50% of patients after four applications.