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Warts and molluscum are viral infections of the skin.  Just as any child can get a viral infection that affects their breathing (respiratory virus) or their gut (GI virus), it is possible to be infected with a skin virus that causes thickening of the skin with a locally painful center (wart) or blister like areas that spread (molluscum).  If the infection is on the sole of the foot, it is called a plantar’s wart because that is the “plantar” surface of the foot.

In general, small warts and molluscum anywhere but on the face respond well to treatment with Canthacur Plus.  This product is the purified venom of the blister beetle (Google “blister beetle” for more info).  Blister beetles kill their prey by injecting them with this venom that causes them to blister.  Some bright scientist discovered that if you place Canthacur Plus on a wart or a molluscum and leave it on for 3-5 hours (depending on the involved area – body for 3 hours, sole of the foot for 5 hours), it causes a blister to form that destroys the skin virus.  Multiple treatments may be necessary when there are multiple molluscum or microscopic ones that grow over time.  The only side effect of significance is that sensitive skinned children may sustain a burn locally if the Canthacur is not washed off in the appropriate amount of time.  The best part is that there is no pain at the time of treatment and you can give ibuprofen prior to the onset of any expected pain.

Molluscum on the face are usually best treated by dermatologists.  And large warts or plantar warts that are painful on which to walk are also best handled by dermatologists because they respond well to liquid nitrogen and other more invasive treatments.