How to Get Rid of Molluscum Lesions

Molluscum, a viral infection of the skin, generally affects children. However, adult infections are not uncommon. Symptoms of the virus include small lesions that look like bumps; the bumps have a dimple in the middle. These lesions are generally painless and disappear within a year on their own, but are highly contagious and will spread if they're scratched or damaged. There are several treatments to help the lesions heal sooner than they might if left untreated; some can be done on your own and some require a physician.

Instructions

• 1

  Contact your doctor to verify that your condition really is molluscum. Discuss her recommendations for treatment and proceed accordingly.

• 2

  Use creams that contain ingredients such as salicylic acid, podophyllin, tretinoin or cantharidin. Apply the cream to each lesion. Check with your doctor before using these creams; they may be harmful in some cases.

• 3

  Ask your doctor to prescribe cimetidine. It's most effective in children. Before taking it, ask your doctor about any side effects.

• 4

  Manually open the lesion. You shouldn't attempt this yourself; let your doctor, who won't spread the virus or leave scars, do it. She'll remove the viral material by squeezing it out using her fingers or forceps.

• 5

  Undergo curettage. This must also be performed by your doctor. A curette (a scraping instrument) is used to scrape the viral material and the lesion away; a topical anesthetic is usually applied. The procedure is effective but scarring may result.

• 6

  Undergo cryotherapy. Your doctor will use liquid nitrogen to freeze the lesions to remove them. More than one treatment may be needed.