Molluscum

Introduction – Background of molluscum contagiosum has been in medical literature since 1817. Juliusburg discovered the viral nature of molluscum contagiosum in 1905. The Molluscum Contagiosum Virus (MCV) is a cutaneous infection caused by large DNA poxvirus that affects both adults, and children. Direct skin contact causes MCV transmission.

Molluscum has been reported to occur with wrestlers, patients that have health care providers with hand lesions, children sharing baths, towels, gym equipment, and benches. Children tend to get molluscum more often than adults. It is common in young children who have not yet developed immunity to the virus.

If growths are present in the genital area, the Contagiosum Molluscum can be sexually transmitted as well. Basically when an infected individual has lesions on their hands and they have touched anything, another party touching the same item will be exposed to MCV.

Molluscum contagiosum prevention takes more effort in the subtropics, and tropics, due to the heat and moisture. All types of virus thrive under these conditions. Epidemiological studies suggest that a higher transmission rate for MCV in some in areas may be related to poor hygiene, and climate factors. Educating others, and ourselves in molluscum contagiosum prevention, today is more advantageous then ever, due to the fact that MCV is also a sexually transmitted disease.

Molluscum contagiosum prevention during pregnancy is extremely important for both mother and baby. The health care provider will follow the pregnancy throughout the nine months, because the hormone changes in a woman’s body at this time may cause the MCV growth to escalate.

Contagiosum Molluscum Characteristics

Contagiosum Molluscum is a common skin disease caused by a virus, which affects the top layers of the skin. The name Contagiosum Molluscum implies that the virus develops growths that are easily spread by skin contact.

Similar to warts, this virus belongs to the poxvirus family and enters the skin through small breaks of hair follicles, which are usually small flesh-colored or pink dome-shaped growths that often become red or inflamed.

The Contagiosum Molluscum may appear shiny and have a small indentation in the center similar toa dimple. Because they can spread by skin-to-skin contact, molluscum are usually found in areas of skin that touch each other like the folds in the arm or the groin. They are also found in clusters on the chest, abdomen, and buttocks and can involve the face and eyelids.

The Contagiosum Molluscum may be very large in size and number, especially on the face for people with immune system diseases. To confirm the diagnosis of Contagiosum Molluscum, a dermatologist might scrape some cells from the growth and look at them under a microscope. Molluscum lesions or bumps will go away in due time, but this can range from six months to several years. They may be more persistent in people with weakened immune system.

Molluscum Treatment

Most dermatologists advise treating Contagiosum Molluscum because the growths are easily spread from one area of the skin to another. Some growths may appear as others are going away. However, molluscum will eventually go away on its own without leaving a scar. Always check with a health care provider before using any over the counter treatments, or home remedies, for molluscum contagiosum prevention.

With Molluscum the possibility of having a secondary form of infection that is bacterial in nature can occur if the skin is ruptured, swelled and irritated due to habitual touching and picking of the lesion.

Contagiosum Molluscum is treated in similar ways that warts are treated. They can be frozen with liquid nitrogen, destroyed with various acids or blistering solutions, treated with an electric needle, scraped off with a sharp instrument. Laser therapy has also been found to be effective in treating Contagiosum Molluscum. Some discomfort is associated with freezing, scraping, using the electric needle, and laser therapy.

Non-invasive treatment is less painful and safer without the potential for leaving scars. Forces of Nature produces Molluscum No More – a certified 100% organic Natural Molluscum Treatment that has received many very favorable reviews. Alternatively, your doctor or dermatologist may suggest another topical retinoid cream, topical immune modifier, or other topical antiviral medications.