Molluscum Contagiosum: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention (1)

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Molluscum Contagiosum
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Molluscum Contagiosum

• Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin
  infection resulting in the formation of bumps on
  the face, arms, neck, legs, back, or abdomen.
  This chronic skin infection is caused by the
  Molluscum contagiosum virus, which is closely
  associated with the pox virus family. Molluscum
  contagiosum may last on the skin of an infected
  person from two months to four years. The bumps
  on the skin are usually painless and may not
  leave any scars if left untreated. Molluscum
  contagiosum infection is most common among
  children and older adults as they may have a weak
  immune system. 

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Causes of Molluscum contagiosum

• Molluscum contagiosum is a highly contagious
  disease it can be easily transferred from an
  infected person to a healthy person. Molluscum
  contagiosum virus may spread from sharing of
  personal items such as towel, toys, or clothing.
  Molluscum contagiosum virus thrives on the skin
  of an infected person and can be passed on to
  another person through direct or indirect
  contact. Here are some risk factors that increase
  the chances of developing Molluscum
  contagiosum 
• People who have eczema
• People who engage in team sports
• People with weak immune system
• Children between the age of 1-10
• People living in humid areas

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Symptoms

• The symptoms of Molluscum contagiosum may not be
  visible for up to 6 months. The symptoms of
  Molluscum contagiosum can be more severe if a
  patient has a weak immune system. Some common
  symptoms of Molluscum contagiosum are Bumps on
  the abdomen, face, arms, and legs
• Bumps filled with fluid
• Itchy boils
• Red or pink colored blisters
• Lesions measuring 2-5 millimeters in diameter
• Lumps around genital area and thighs

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Diagnosis of Molluscum contagiosum

• A dermatologist can diagnose Molluscum
  contagiosum simply by looking at the blisters.
  Sometimes dermatologists take the sample from the
  affected area by scratching the affected skin.
  The sample is further observed under a microscope
  to determine the possible cause and condition of
  infection. A patient should tell the doctor about
  their medical history and symptoms they have been
  experiencing. A dermatologist may also order a
  blood test to check for other skin conditions
  that can cause symptoms of Molluscum contagiosum.

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Treatments

• In most cases, the blisters formed due to
  Molluscum contagiosum fade away on its own.
  However, some of the cases with severe symptoms
  of Molluscum contagiosum require a medical
  treatment. If lesions occur on the face and neck
  and are as large as 15 millimeters in diameter,
  urgent treatment is required. The treatment of
  Molluscum contagiosum may include 
• Laser therapy to help reduce the size of the
  bumps by exposing them to a low intensity laser
  beam.
• Applying ointments containing certain acids to
  induce the drainage of blisters.
• Curettage procedure to scrape off the affected
  skin.
• Cryotherapy which involves the use of liquid
  nitrogen for freezing the each bump.
• Topical medicines such as Aldara and Tagamet to
  treat the Molluscum contagiosum in small
  children.

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Prevention of Molluscum contagiosum 

• Avoid sharing personal items such as soaps,
  towel, or hairbrush.
• Avoid scratching the affected area.
• Keep the blisters clean and covered.
• Avoid sexual contact with an infected person.
• Wash your hands after touching a blister.

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