Extensive chemical burns in a child from misuse of cantharidin: a case report
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Abstract
Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is typically a benign and self-limited viral infection affecting the skin. When treatment of MC is re- quested, application of cantharidin in a physician’s office is generally a safe, effective and commonly used treatment option for MC. Its misuse, however, can result in rare but significant adverse outcomes. This case report details an unfortunate incident of a child who developed a severe chemical burn as a result of misuse of Cantharidin 1% – Podophyllin – Salicylic Acid (Canthacur-PS) for the treatment of MC. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of physician familiarity with the poxvirus infection, the indications to treat MC in immunocompetent children, and the various treatment options, including the safe administration and potential complications of cantharidin. In children, cantharidin can easily and safely be applied to lesions in a non-traumatic and controlled manner in the physician’s office. Caregiver education on the post-treatment management and early signs of potential complications may also prevent similar adverse outcomes from cantharidin misuse.
RÉSUMÉ
Le molluscum contagiosum (MC) est une infection virale généralement bénigne et spontanément résolutive affectant la peau. L’application de cantharidine dans un cabinet de médecin est une option thérapeutique sécuritaire, efficace et couramment utilisée pour traiter le MC. Toutefois, son mauvais usage peut entraîner des effets indésirables rares, mais importants. Cette étude de cas décrit l’incident malheureux d’un enfant ayant développé une brûlure chimique sévère en réponse à un mauvais usage de Canthacur-PS, qui contient de la cantharidine 1 %, de la podophylline et de l’acide salicylique, pour le traitement du MC. En outre, elle met en évidence l’importance pour les médecins de bien connaître cette infection au poxvirus, les indications de traitement du MC chez les enfants immunocompétents, et les options de traitement disponibles, incluant l’administration sécuritaire et les complications possibles de la cantharidine. Chez les enfants, la cantharidine peut facilement être appliquée aux lésions de manière sécuritaire, contrôlée et non traumatique dans un cabinet de médecin. La formation des soignants sur la prise en charge post-traitement et les signes précurseurs de complications possibles à la suite d’un mauvais usage de la cantharidine pourrait également aider à prévenir des effets indésirables similaires.
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