Molluscum Contagiosum
What is Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection of the skin. It is common in children, and in the past, was only associated with them.
It is not a dangerous condition.
What are the Symptoms of Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum appears as small, flesh-coloured or pink spots on the skin. These are sometimes mistaken for warts, but tend to have a smooth, shiny surface, and a depression in the middle.
When found in children, they can appear on the chin, chest, abdomen, face, legs, and arms. When it occurs in adults, it usually appears on the genital area, inner thighs, and lower abdomen.
What are the Causes of Molluscum Contagiosum
In children, molluscum contagiosum is transmitted through shared clothing and towels, or through person-to-person contact. For this reason, its transmission is associated with places like swimming pools.
In adults, the most common way in which molluscum contagiosum is transmitted is through sexual contact.
Traditional Medical Treatments for Molluscum Contagiosum
Usually, in cases of people with normal immune systems, molluscum contagiosum disappears by itself. In more extreme cases, medical treatment may be required.
Your doctor will arrange the appropriate treatment, if treatment is necessary. The options include:
- Deroofing the lesions under sterile conditions.
- Lifting open the tip and painting with an antiseptic solution.
- Freezing with liquid nitrogen.
- Application of a caustic chemical.
- Destruction with an electric current (diathermy).
Molluscum contagiosum can cause complications in people who are HIV positive
Complementaty/Alternative Treatments for Molluscum Contagiosum
Some treatments available on the Internet claim to quickly clear molluscum infections; however, no medications studied in rigorous clinical trials have been shown to be consistently effective in clearing the virus, so these products may not be effective.
Additionally, check with your doctor before using any dietary supplements or skin treatments especially if you have eczema to make sure they won't adversely interact with any other medications or treatments you're using.