Molluscum contagiosum

Causes

Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a virus called VMC or Molluscum Contagiosum Virus. This virus belongs to the poxvirus family and usually reproduces very well in hot and humid climates.

When it comes into contact with the skin, through a small opening in the skin's surface, the child can get the infection. It is a mechanism similar to that of warts. After two to eight weeks, the skin lesions.

It is a very contagious virus and can infect both through the direct skin-to-skin contact, like touching objects that have come into contact with the virus: toys, clothing, towels and bedding. It can also be contracted through virus infected water, that's why their is common.

Most cases affect a single person in the family group, although contagion is possible by direct skin contact with the lesions or by utensils such as towels, as we have already mentioned.

When a child is infected, the infection can spread if the child scratches or rubs the lesions and then touches another part of the body. Is about a benign and self-limited condition in time, that is, it finally disappears on its own.

Signs and symptoms

The only visible sign of molluscum contagiosum is the presence of small lesions or bumps on the skin with a slit in the center, like a navel. Mollusks on the skin start out as tiny grains, with a pearly appearance, and then grow over several weeks, becoming larger bumps that can reach up to a centimeter in diameter. The most affected areas are:

• Face,
• The neck,
• The arms,
• Armpits,
• The chest,
• The abdomen
• The legs.

Mollusks can appear singly or in groups of up to 20 lesions. They can occur almost anywhere on the skin.

They are not usually annoying, but, on occasion, they can cause:

• Itchiness
• Redness
• Swelling
• pain
• Infection, especially if the child scratches them.

Children with are more likely to suffer from this disease and to spread it through the areas of skin affected by dermatitis.

Treatment

In many cases, molluscum contagiosum heals on its own without applying any type of treatment, which is why in many cases they are not treated. When the body builds immunity against the virus, the mollusk disappears. Each of the mollusks usually disappears after two or three months.

Sometimes both, to avoid self-inoculation and contagion to other people, treat the mollusk with little aggressive techniques. To do this, they can apply or recommend that parents apply substances to them (a topical medicine such as warts), burn them (usually with cold: cryotherapy) or remove them from the base with a small spoon with sharp edges (curettage) . The results with any of these techniques are excellent.

Whether a dermatologist or pediatrician decides to treat molluscum contagiosum will depend on its location, whether it causes discomfort, and the number of injuries.

CALCULATE YOUR PRICE

How to prevent infection

• Do not touch, scratch or rub the lesions.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Do not share towels, clothing and other personal belongings.
• Keep the areas where molluscs have come out clean.
• Try to cover all injuries with clothing or an airtight bandage, especially before practicing activities such as swimming and contact sports.
• Moisturize your skin if it is dry.
• In the pool: cover injuries with waterproof clothing or bandages; do not share swimming boards and other water toys, as well as avoid rubbing with lanyards as much as possible.

As long as a child with molluscum contagiosum takes the above precautions, they can continue to attend their nursery or school, play sports and play with other children.

• Molluscum contagiosum is a benign and self-limited virus-caused skin infection, being more common in children than in adults.
• In many cases, molluscum contagiosum heals on its own without applying any type of treatment, which is why in many cases they are not treated.
• When a child is infected, the infection can spread if the child scratches or rubs the lesions and then touches another part of the body.