Molluscum Contagiosum

More illustrative Molluscum contagiosum (contagiosa) is a commonly found skin infection, especially among children, which looks like small, pearl shaped, pinkish white eruptions on skin. It is a viral infection. It is also found in adults who are immunodeficient due to some reason. The infection is most common between the age of one to ten years. Molluscum Contagiosum can affect any area on the body but is usually observed on the face, arms and legs.

Cause

Molluscum contagiosum is caused by DNA poxvirus called the Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV).

Symptoms

It is a benign self-limiting infection which presents in the form of rounded, pearl shaped eruptions. The lesions are flesh-colored, dome-shaped, and pearly in appearance.

They are usually 1–5 millimeters in diameter, with a dimpled center.

They are generally not painful, but they may itch or become irritated.

If it bursts, it can become painful and even may get infected due to some secondary bacterial infection. Picking or scratching the bumps may lead to further infection or scarring and bleeding.

In about 10% of the cases, eczema develops around the lesions. They may occasionally be complicated by secondary bacterial infection.

Spread of Molluscum Contagiosum

Being viral in origin, it spreads by skin contact and touch. The lesions shown above shows how infection has spread to nearby areas. The picture on the left also shows an infected form of Molluscum contagiosum.

Scratching the bumps and then touching the skin or through sex contact is the most common way is spreads from one part to the body to another. Handling objects that have the virus on them, such as a towel, can also result in infection. The virus can be spread among children at a day care or at school. It is limited to a localized area on the topmost layer of the epidermis. Children present with clusters largely due to self-spread.

Even after successful treatment, it can recur, since it does not give life long immunity.

Prevalence

About one in twenty young people are infected at some time with Molluscum contagiosum.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made on the clinical examination by experiences eyes. No blood test or biopsy required.

Treatment for Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum is a self-limiting condition; which means that it gets cured if untreated. However, in that case, it may take up to six months. Some treatment measures may shorten the duration and reduce the changes of spread. It is contagious until the bumps are gone-which, if untreated, may be up to 6 months or longer. The time from infection to the appearance of lesions ranges from 2 week to 6 months, with an average incubation period of 6 weeks.

The Molluscum virus cannot be routinely cultured in the laboratory.

General Treatment for Molluscum Contagiosum

It is done by popping the core containing the virus with a needle. The central waxy core contains the virus. This procedure must be done regularly to prevent multiplying of the virus. Once the virus containing head of the lesion has been destroyed, the infection is gone.

Surgical Treatment for Molluscum Contagiosum

Cryotherapy

It involves killing infected cells by “freezing” them with a pressurized liquid spray, usually liquid nitrogen or nitrous oxide. The procedure is relatively painless and can be performed by any health professional. The infected cells may fall off immediately or fade over several days.

Laser therapy

Pulsed dye laser therapy is the treatment of choice when there are multiple lesions. Any surgical treatment requires to be repeated each time, new crops of lesions appear.

Homeopathic Treatment for Molluscum Contagiosum

Homeopathy has effective treatment for a range of viral infections which includes Molluscum contagiosum. There are a few commonly indicated anti-viral medicines which are specially suitable for this condition. This problem is largely self-limiting and does not require medicine unless it is severe and extensive.

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