Published on Jul 27, 2016 and last reviewed on Sep 07, 2019 - 2 min read
Abstract
Molluscum contagiosum is a contagious viral infection, which results in raised nodules on the skin. Learn about its clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment.
Molluscum contagiosum in adults, a sexually transmitted disease (STD), is described as asymptomatic pimples over the genitalia by most of the patients. It is basically caused by Molluscum contagiosum virus, a DNA virus of the poxvirus family. It spreads by close contact commonly with the children, the immunocompromised and increasingly younger adults, in the latter as a sexually transmitted disease. The incidence peaks at 5-10 years of age.
The disease is chronic, whereas autoinoculation and shaving spread it. The inflammation, trauma and secondary infection, promote its spontaneous cure. In atopic individuals, eczema may develop around the healed lesions.
Despite the eventual spontaneous resolution, particularly in the children, treatment does help to minimize autoinoculation and prevent transmission to others. Young adults should be evaluated for concomitant sexually transmitted disease and their partners have to get treated in order to prevent reinfection.
Recurrent or recalcitrant lesions in the HIV or immunocompromised have been treated with the following:
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The most important cause of molluscum contagiosum are viral infections.
They are known to spread by the following conditions:
- Contact with contaminated objects, such as towels.
- Skin-to-skin contact.
- Rubbing or scratching the bumps, which spreads the virus to the skin in the nearby region.
- Sexual contact with an affected partner.
Yes, molluscum contagiosum is a sexually transmitted infection. There are higher possibilities for the virus to spread from the infected person to a healthy person through sexual contact. The condition usually resolves by itself. Following proper hygiene serves as a prevention measure.
The recovery of molluscum contagiosum depends on the immune power of an individual. In the majority of the cases, special treatment methods are not required because it is a self-healing condition. If the condition causes pain and scarring, then the doctor will recommend medications and laser therapy. Topical applications of Podophyllotoxin cream are known to be beneficial.
The home remedies for molluscum contagiosum include the following:
- Bath with colloidal oatmeal. The colloidal form of oatmeal is made into a fine powder and added to the lukewarm water. Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory properties and can help in relieving the itching sensation caused by molluscum contagiosum.
- Application of tea tree oil. Tea tree oil has antiseptic properties.
- Coconut oil. Coconut oil is efficient in providing a soothing effect on the skin. It also reduces the itching sensation.
- Australian lemon myrtle. The application of Australian lemon myrtle is known to reduce the symptoms of molluscum contagiosum. It requires a regular application of 21 days.
It usually takes about two or three months for the bumps caused by molluscum contagiosum to go. The efficient ways to remove the bumps quickly are:
- Cut or scrape off the bumps.
- Topical application of medications on the bumps.
- Oral medications to treat molluscum contagiosum.
Most of the doctors do not recommend faster treatment procedures because it might cause severe burns that are painful and itchy in nature.
Yes, kids with molluscum contagiosum can go to school and other public places. It is also necessary for the child to wash their hands regularly with soap and water. The child should have the bumps properly covered with bandages. You might take help from your doctor for dressing the wound.
Yes, you can get molluscum contagiosum from your child. Once the child is known to be infected from molluscum contagiosum, there are possibilities for the child to spread the infection to other areas in their own body or to others. Direct contact with the molluscum contagiosum lesions can increase the chances of spreading.
Molluscum contagiosum can be treated with Imiquimod cream. Imiquimod cream is beneficial for the treatment of larger lesions. People who have poor immune systems are known to get high benefits from Imiquimod cream. It acts by stimulating the immune system of the body.
Yes, apple cider vinegar works for molluscum contagiosum. There is no proper evidence to prove it, but the application of apple cider vinegar is known to suppress the itching and tingling sensation in the skin.
If you are experiencing rashes that are itchy, then you can use topical steroids such as Hydrocortisone. It is available over-the-counter. It is helpful for subsiding the inflammation also.
Your child might have got molluscum contagiosum while playing with other kids. They might have touched the bumps of molluscum contagiosum knowingly or unknowingly. Sharing the cloths, towels, bed, and toys are the common causes of spreading molluscum contagiosum.
A person infected with molluscum contagiosum stays contagious till the disappearance of the last bump of the lesion. The bumps might last for nearly six to 12 months. In some patients, the lesions can last up to four years. The patient will not be contagious if all the lesions have been resolved.
The majority of the people are known to have the immense capacity to act against molluscum contagiosum. As a result, they do not show any development of lesions. Only a few degrees of the population are not known to have ideal immune functions to act against infection. In such patients, the lesions appear after two to seven weeks.
Molluscum contagiosum is very common in the United States of America. It is also known to have an international occurrence rate. HIV patients are affected by more than healthy adults. Tropical areas of the world are affected more. It is more common in males than in females. It has a rare occurrence in babies less than one year of age.
The lesions of molluscum contagiosum are known as Mollusca. It appears as a pinkish-white lesion that is very small but raised. It has a pit or dimple in the center of the lesion. It has a pearly appearance. Mollusca is usually firm and smooth. It is seen on the neck, face, legs, arms, genital area, and abdomen.
The lesions of molluscum contagiosum are known as Mollusca. It appears as a pinkish-white lesion that is very small but raised. It has a pit or dimple in the center of the lesion. It has a pearly appearance. Mollusca is usually firm and smooth. It is seen on the neck, face, legs, arms, genital area, and abdomen.
Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a poxvirus. It is called the molluscum contagiosum virus. It happens to come from direct skin to skin contact or sexual intercourse. It is usually a benign infection and can appear in any part of the body.
In adults, molluscum contagiosum is known to have a higher spreading rate because adults might get this infection by sexual route. Direct contact with the infected part of the skin also serves as a contributing factor for the spread.
Last reviewed at:
07 Sep 2019 - 2 min read
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Dermatology
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