While MC lesions can go away on their own, treatment is often recommended. Treating MC reduces the risk of lesions traveling to other parts of the body and helps to prevent transmission to others.
The treatments used for MC are similar to those used to manage warts (caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV). These include:
Topical medications: Topical gels and creams -- such as podophyllum, trichloroacetic acid (Tri-Chlor®), cantharidin (Verr-CanthTM), tretinoin (Avita™, Retin-A®), tincture of iodine, silver nitrate, or phenol -- can be applied directly to the MC lesions. Some of these medications can be applied at home while others need to be applied by a healthcare provider, often a dermatologist.
Surgical options: These include cryotherapy (applications of liquid nitrogen to freeze MC lesions), laser treatment, curettage (scraping of MC lesions), and electrocautery (an electric needle used to remove MC bumps). These procedures are always performed in a doctor's office, often by a dermatologist.
Oral medications: Some oral medications that can be prescribed are griseofulvin (Fulvicin®) and cimetidine (Tagamet®). Griseofulvin is actually approved to treat certain fungal infections, but it has also been shown to treat MC lesions. Cimetidine can be used to treat MC lesions, particular if the area becomes inflamed or itchy.
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