Molluscum contagiosum is a virus disease in which mucous membrane and skin are generally affected. This is common in young children but it is also prevalent in those adults who don’t have a strong immunity system. This is a highly contagious disease and it is transmitted from one person to another person through skin contact.
This disease generally attacks children under twelve years of age . In the case of adults, this disease can be transmitted through sexual activities. Life long immunity against this disease is usually developed after being infected by this disease.
Causes of Molluscum Contagiosum
Virus infection is the main cause of this disease. Weak immunity system of a person can cause this disease which is associated with the formation of lumps on the skin. It is one type of DNA poxvirus that generally attacks a human being.
Symptoms of Molluscum Contagiosum
Small lump in the skin which is generally known as papule is the main symptom of Molluscum contagiosum. The signs of this disease become obvious within two to seven weeks after being infected by this disease. Papules generally emerge in different parts of a human body for example face, palms, body, feet etc. These papules are of flesh color and they have small dimples in their centers. If it is squeezed, a white fluid oozes out.
But one should not squeeze it because it might cause acute anguish. One can experience a kind of irritation and itchy feeling those parts. In some cases eczema may occur that can further complicate the entire thing. Bacterial infection can also occurred if a person is suffering from this disease.
These papules can survive for two or three weeks and if a patient wants to recover completely from this disease, one may have to wait for months. In the case of children virus spread quickly from one parts of the body from another parts. Therefore, skin is badly infected by this disease if it attacks children.
Secondary infection, occasional bleeding from the infected places and scarring are some of the common symptoms of Molluscum contagiosum. A Chronic keratoconjunctivitis is another sign of this disease.
Treating Molluscum Contagiosum
A patient affected by Molluscum contagiosum generally doesn’t need any treatment. Papules in fact disappear automatically. But if the symptoms of this disease are causing acute pain, it should come under medical attention. Sometimes practitioners apply a chemical named Podophyllin to treat a patient to recuperate from this disease. Curettage and cryotherapy are also applied to erase the papules from the skin.
Affected parts of skin can be cured by applying Astringent chemicals. Cantharidin, podophyllin resin, trichloroacetic acid and potassium hydroxide are some of the important materials of Astringent chemicals. By scrubbing the affected parts of the skin though Betadine surgical scrub, one can reduce the symptoms of this disease. This is very easy and can be done at home.
A solution of Australian lemon myrtle may reduce the irritation of a skin. An immunotherapy can help a patient to fight against the disease by consolidating the immunity system of a person. One of the common forms of immunotherapy is Imiquimod.
This therapy has achieved an impressive 80% success. Imiquimod is usually applied on the infected skin thrice a week. If a person is suffering from a mild Molluscum contagiosum disease, tretinoin cream can be applied in the affected parts. Sometimes surgical operation may be needed to treat a patient.
In a surgical treatment, liquid nitrogen is applied to scrape off papules. Laser therapy can also be used to generate a better result. Pulse dye laser is used in a laser therapy and in ninety percent cases it generates a unique result.
Advice:
As Molluscum contagiosum is highly contagious, one should not scratch the infected parts that are causing irritation. Apply tape of bandage on those parts. Shun shaving, if the bumps are on the face. Sexual activities have to be kept under restrain if one has bumps on the genital area.
One can be cured of this disease without under going any medical treatment. Clean the affected spots with alcohol swab and after that the head of the lesion should be cut by using a sterile needle. The content should be removed by applying alcohol swab. If this procedure can be executed dexterously, lesions can be healed within two or three days.
