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Molluscum contagiosum is an infectious disease of the skin and mucous membranes, which is manifested by the presence of hard and translucent nodules on the skin. Most often it attacks small children under 5 years of age and young adults. Mollusc infection usually occurs through objects or direct contact with an infected person.
What is molluscum contagiosum and what are its causes?
Molluscum contagiosum is a viral disease of the skin and mucous membranes caused by the pox virus (MCV I and II – Molluscum contagiosum virus). The ailment can occur in both children and adults, and its characteristic symptom is the presence of hard, white or transparent nodules on the skin. Adults become infected through sexual intercourse with an infected person or from the direct use of a sick person’s personal belongings. In turn, in children, the infection is transmitted mainly through objects or direct contact with an infected person. The hatching period is 2-7 weeks. The mollusk is not a serious disease, but it is associated with unpleasant ailments.
The most common infectious mollusk is:
- in people with reduced immunity,
- in HIV patients,
- in people taking immunosuppressive preparations,
- in patients suffering from atopic dermatitis,
- children under the age of 5,
- young adults.
Symptoms of the contagious mollusk
It may take up to six months for the first symptoms of molluscum contagiosum to appear, but usually symptoms are noticeable after about two months after infection. Skin lesions are most often located on the skin of the torso, hands, face and genitals. They are characteristic domed or round nodules with a depression in the middle and they grow to 2-6 mm over time. Their color can be white or transparent, and individual blooms sometimes merge into larger lesions. After the lump is punctured and pressed, a spherical content comes out. It should be emphasized that skin lesions are highly contagious.
Other symptoms of molluscum contagiosum are:
- itchy skin
- pain in the area of lesions (skin eruptions),
- bacterial superinfection of the tumor due to its scratching.
Note: The contagious mollusk can sometimes develop on the eyelid, which is often the cause of keratitis or conjunctivitis.
Fig.4.24. Contagious mollusk
Contagious mollusk – diagnosis
The appearance of a rash on the body should be an indication for a visit to the GP. During the visit, the specialist conducts a detailed medical interview with the patient and examines the skin changes. Sometimes the doctor pierces the lump to see if it is producing a characteristic spherical discharge. Usually, these symptoms are sufficient to make a diagnosis, but sometimes a tumor biopsy and a histopathological examination are necessary.
It is also important to differentiate the contagious mollusk from other ailments, such as:
- viral warts,
- genital warts,
- soft fibromas.
Contagious mollusk – treatment
Although the skin changes spontaneously in the patient within a few months, it is important to implement appropriate treatment so that he does not infect other people around him. If the skin eruptions are large – a surgical procedure can be performed, while if the nodules are small and numerous – non-surgical treatment is implemented.
Among the treatment methods, the following are distinguished:
- curettage,
- cryotherapy (freezing the lesions leads to cell necrosis and eliminates the disease-causing viruses, the treatment should be repeated 2-3 times),
- Surgical treatment,
- electrocoagulation,
- laser therapy using a CO2 laser,
- removing the atheroma mechanically (squeezing the contents out and then washing with iodine tincture or silver nitrate).
During pharmacological treatment, the patient uses medications prescribed by a doctor, which have irritating properties and cause an inflammatory reaction, thanks to which the skin eruptions heal much faster. Examples of such preparations are e.g. iodine tincture, lactic acid and potassium hydroxide solution. In turn, in patients with multiple skin lesions, antiviral, immunomodulating and antihistamines are administered. If the skin lesions are accompanied by troublesome itching, it is recommended to use a special ointment based on steroids (lubricate the areas around the nodules!)
In general, treatment for molluscum contagiosum usually takes several weeks, but can extend to months or even years. This happens because other family members are not treated, or if they are transferred from one area to another, for example when scratching.
Can the disease be prevented?
Unfortunately, there is no molluscum contagiosum vaccine available. One way of prevention is to ensure that the disease does not spread, so remember the basic rules of personal hygiene. If you suffer from molluscum contagiosum – do not use the same things as your household (dishes, cutlery, towels).
Source: A. Kaszuba, Z. Adamski “Practitioner’s guide. Dermatology”; XNUMXst edition, Czelej Publishing House