Cures for Molluscum

Molluscum contagiosum is a virus that causes a rash at the point of infection. The infection is identified by small red or flesh colored bumps with dimpled centers. Molluscum is transferred either through direct skin-to-skin contact or by sharing personal items. It is most common among children or sexually active young adults. Molluscum is completely treatable and there are many cures.

Removing Molluscum

• It's not always necessary to treat molluscum. Often, the body's immune system will fight off the infection on its own. It might be wise to have any molluscum lesions removed to prevent spreading the virus as it is passed through contact with lesions on the skin. The lesions are removed either through scraping, burning them off, or freezing them off. But if you keep your infected skin covered, avoid public pools and gyms, and don't share personal items such as towels, removing the lesions may not be necessary. If you have molluscum on your genitals you should seek professional medical care as this could lead to other complications.

Topical Treatments

• Your doctor may prescribe topical ointments to help treat your molluscum symptoms. These creams include trichloroacetic acid, podophyllotoxin cream, and cantharidin which must be applied by a doctor. Other ointments which are not FDA approved to cure molluscum have still proven effective and include imiquimod, which is made to treat genital warts, cimetidine, which is an antiulcer and antiheartburn medication, and cidofovir, a drug used to treat eye infections in AIDS patients.

Spreading to Other Body Parts

• Scratching molluscum lesions and then touching another part of your body can spread the infection as the virus is transferred through touch. If you apply topical ointment and then scratch your nose without washing your hands first, you might get the infection on your nose and prolong the process. Always wash your hands after touching the infected area. Shaving can also spread the infection, so avoid shaving the infected area during the treatment process.

Prevention/Solution

• Of course, the best way to treat any infection is to avoid contracting it to begin with. Measures can be taken to avoid catching molluscum, and to prevent the spread of the infection to others.
  It is important to avoid touching anyone who appears to have raised bumps on their skin. Don't share towels, lotions, or other personal items likely to have come in contact with an infected area, and teach children to do the same, especially during gym class at school or during physical extracurricular activities such as dance or sports. If you regularly go to the gym, wipe down all equipment with a disinfecting wipe (this can prevent other unpleasant infections such as staff infections). Also, because the disease can be spread sexually, abstinence or a monogamous relationship between two people who do have the infection is recommended.

So When Should You Seek Medical Care?

• If the lesions on your skin become irritated, or inflamed or are painful to the touch be sure to notify your doctor. This might mean you have developed a bacterial infection as well as the viral molluscum. Lesions on the eyelids might be associated with Conjunctivitis, better known as Pink Eye, so tell your doctor if you experience them.