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Molluscum contagiosum (molluscum contagiosum, contagious mollusk)
– a skin disease that usually occurs in childhood and adolescence. A viral disease.
Causes of molluscum contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum – development occurs due to a filter virus, which is similar to the smallpox virus and is pathogenic only for humans.
Factors that contribute to the occurrence of molluscum contagiosum:
- contact with the carrier (domestic/sexual contact)/objects he/she used
- failure to comply with hygiene rules
- against the background of diseases that reduce immunity
Molluscum contagiosum symptoms
The incubation period ranges from 2 weeks to several months. After this period, nodules appear on the skin (can be single or multiple) pinkish in color, round in shape, dense, up to the size of a pea, which sometimes merge.
Sometimes these places feel itchy.
The mollusk is usually located on the face, hands, neck, stomach, and torso.
Diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum
Making a diagnosis usually does not cause difficulties. As a rule, this is a clear clinical picture, but sometimes the diagnosis can be confirmed by laboratory analysis (histology results).
Treatment of molluscum contagiosum
The treatment is carried out by a dermatologist.
Each element of the molluscum contagiosum is removed (this can be done either with surgical tweezers, or by electrocoagulation or curettage).
Prevention of molluscum contagiosum
- observance of rules of personal hygiene.
- To prevent the spread of infection, isolation of the patient is necessary.