Topical fig sap induced phytophotodermatitis to eradicate molluscum contagiosum and flat warts

Abstract

Folk medicine describes the use of figs to treat skin lesions. This therapeutic use of fig sap is even mentioned in the Bible. Fig sap can cause irritant or phototoxic reactions when combined with sun exposure termed Phytophotodermatitis. Contact with plant-derived phototoxic substances (furocoumarins or psoralens) followed by sunlight exposure produces clinical lesions that have therapeutic activity for small skin lesions. In children, conventional topical treatment of flat warts or Molluscum Contagiosum may be difficult because of poor compliance. Here, we present two cases of induced phytophotodermatitis by using fig sap over a period of 4-6 weeks to treat multiple flat warts in a 12-year-old boy, and a case of Molluscum Contagiosum in a 6-year-old girl. These cases suggest an alternative treatment for skin lesions.