Treatment of molluscum contagiosum with an East Indian sandalwood oil product

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of an East Indian sandalwood oil (EISO) product as a topical treatment for molluscum contagiosum.Materials and methods: Ten subjects ranging in age from 22 months to 29 years were recruited. Subjects were instructed to apply an EISO product to the lesions twice daily. Subjects were monitored every two to three weeks during the study and were questioned regarding local or systemic side effects. Assessment of response was recorded by counting lesions and documented by photographs.Results: Nine of ten subjects (90%) experienced complete resolution of molluscum lesions within the twelve week study period. Response was unrelated to lesion size or number, how long the molluscum rash had been present, or patient age or gender. There were no complaints of side effects, skin irritation, pain, or other adverse events reported in any subjects.Conclusions: In this pilot open label study, an EISO product proved to be an effective treatment for molluscum contagiosum lesions with resolution of lesions typically occurring within twelve weeks of therapy.