‘Beetlejuice’ effective for kids with molluscum contagiosum: study

More children treated with a drug-device combination containing 0.7% cantharidin had complete lesion clearance, show two phase three trials
Reuters Health Staff writer
molluscum contagiosum or 'water warts'

A proprietary drug-device combination containing 0.7% cantharidin – a substance secreted by blister beetles to defend themselves – is safe and effective for children with molluscum contagiosum, according to two trials.

Although the highly contagious condition is self-limiting in immunocompetent individuals, the average duration is often measured in years, the authors said.