Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum

        Common especially in children, looking sometimes epidemic, molluscum contagiosum consists of small raised tumors which appear on the skin puncture to the top. Tumors are cylindrical when they are larger and slightly depressed at their centers. Their number is very variable, and can sit anywhere. A shot of the curette can cause a slight bleeding: this is how you can remove them, but take care not to let one which would be the starting point of relapse. A virus filtering is their origine.

How molluscum contagiosum looks like

        Molluscum appears as a bulge that forms a pearl in its center. These pearls are white or colored, they are 2 to 5 mm in diameter. The molluscum often occur in groups of a few to several dozen, and can be located anywhere on the body. In young children, molluscum readily affect the neck, axillary folds, trunk, face and eyes but also the abdomen, buttocks, thighs or arms. In adults and adolescents they sit at the genital area, thighs and lower abdomen and are most often transmitted through sexual contact. The molluscum may become red and inflamed, which often heralds its imminent demise. Sometimes around molluscum exists a red gritty,itchy spot, which is a plaque of eczema and occurs more often in children. Although it is found everywhere in the world, it is more common in hot and humid climates.

How to take care of Molluscum contagiosum

        In some cases, lesions or papules may persist for years, but they usually disappear without treatment after two to six months. If these symptoms appear around the eyes, they can be treated to avoid irritation. The treatment of symptoms in the genital area prevents their spread to partners during sex. Home treatment is to try not to scratch the lesions or rashes and protect them by bandages. If symptoms of concern appears or if the patient wants to prevent the spreading, the doctor may use one of the following treatments:

• Cryotherapy - which is to freeze and remove the bumps with liquid nitrogen;
• Curettage - which involves removing the viral material in the center of lesions or papules.
• The application of drug products on the lesions or bumps to help them disappear.

What is molluscum contagiosum?

        Molluscum contagiosum is a mild infection of the skin that is caused by a virus (poxvirus). The infection is manifested by the appearance on the skin of small outgrowths of the same color as the skin with a depressed center like a crater. Early in its development, very little, molluscum contagiosum can be easily confused with a simple button at the difference it is rare an isolated molluscum because often several molluscum develop in the same body area.

Molluscum contagiosum pictures

How does molluscum contagiosum transmits?

        The mode of transmission is direct. So just a simple touch to transmit the virus. The virus can also spread, though more rarely, by indirect contact such as through the use of an infected towel. Scratching the infected area promotes the spread of molluscum. The molluscum contagiosum is common in young children 2 to 12 years. The contamination is readily during sports or when promiscuity and contacts between children are important (public pools, showers, bathrooms, sports contacts). In adults and young adults, the virus can be transmitted through sex especially when molluscum are localized to the genital area.

        Tips to prevent molluscum contagiosum proliferation:

• keep children infected with the other in different baths, pool activities or sports contacts must be restricted.
• Avoid sharing towels used in infected patients.
• Discourage scratching of molluscum because it promotes their dissemination.
• Avoid sexual contact during the period you are a carrier of molluscum.

        Molluscum contagiosum can take 2 to 3 months to develop, but symptoms can appear within a week or only after 6 months.

Where to locate the molluscum contagiosum?

        The molluscum contagiosum grow more commonly on the arms, chest and legs. On the body of an adult, it is possible to find just anywhere, but when it comes to sexual transmission, we found more particularly on the abdomen, groin, thighs, buttocks and genitals outside.