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30.03.2023 08:35
Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infectious disease that has nothing to do with marine life, but gets its name from its shape, which, when magnified, resembles a snail shell.
How does it manifest
Usually, children from one to ten years old get sick with molluscum contagiosum more often than adults. Infection can occur through bodily contact, the use of common household items such as dishes, cutlery, bedding, towels, toys, as well as through water when visiting the pool.
In adults, the infection is often sexually transmitted, and rashes usually appear on the genitals, inner thighs, and abdomen. In children, rashes in the form of pimple nodules may appear on the face, arms, shoulders, chest and abdomen. Therefore, a children’s oncologist of the 1st category of the HappyDerm Medical Center Lyudmila Artyushkevich recommends examining your children and taking timely action.
It is rather difficult to establish the exact source of infection, since the disease can manifest itself both in two weeks and in three months. Factors that increase the risk of infection include:
- Allergic reactions.
- Weakened immunity after prolonged illness.
- Atopic dermatitis.
The key feature of molluscum contagiosum are pink or flesh-colored nodules, round or oval in shape, 2 to 5 mm in diameter, with a dimple in the center and white, cheesy contents. Nodules can be either single or multiple, merge into groups and do not cause pain, but are sometimes accompanied by itching.
For the diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum, the following methods are used:
- questioning the patient;
- visual inspection;
- skin scraping for microscopic examination;
- general and biochemical blood tests, which reflect the state of the body;
- biopsy, which is necessary for atypical manifestations;
- PCR study that determines the pathogen in the body.
Treatment
In most cases, especially in children, molluscum contagiosum nodules disappear spontaneously within 6 months. With a slight lesion of molluscum contagiosum, especially in children, conservative treatment is possible with creams and ointments prescribed by a specialist.
Mollusks are removed for aesthetic reasons and to prevent the spread of rashes to clean areas of the skin. The most effective and safe methods of treating molluscum contagiosum are laser coagulation and cryodestruction.
With a decrease in immunity, a rash of molluscum contagiosum can occupy significant areas of the body and recur. In this case, consultation with an immunologist is necessary.
What you need to know about molluscum contagiosum
1. Molluscum contagiosum is an infectious disease caused by a virus that does not pose a threat to health.
2. Infection occurs through objects or through skin contact with the skin of a sick person.
3. Without drug therapy, the disease is completely cured within a year.
4. To prevent the spread of rashes to clean areas of the skin, they can be removed.
If you are sick, you must follow the following rules:
- consult a doctor;
- do not rub rashes;
- injury, opening of the focus or inflammation, it is necessary to treat the outer surface with antiseptics;
- it is important to avoid drying out the skin and, if necessary, moisturize it;
- you should not visit swimming pools, saunas, baths or gyms;
- use personal towels and washcloths;
- if lesions are found on exposed skin, they can be covered with adhesive tape or a sterile bandage to prevent spread of the infection to other people.
Knowing about molluscum contagiosum will help you quickly navigate the health of your child and take preventive and treatment measures in a timely manner.
May your baby always be healthy!
