Molluscum contagiosum: causes, symptoms and methods of treatment

Molluscum contagiosum is a fairly common skin disease, which is characterized by the formation of a solid, nodular rash on the surface of the skin. A similar disease can affect both the adult population and children.

Molluscum contagiosum: causes of the disease and modes of transmission

The causative agent of this disease is the virus of molluscum contagiosum. This virus is specific and affects only humans, for animals it is not dangerous.

Infection of a healthy organism occurs when it comes into contact with the carrier of the virus or a sick person. In adults, molluscum contagiosum can be transmitted during sexual intercourse. In addition, the virus is transmitted by sharing objects of everyday life - dishes, bed linen, clothes, toys, towels, etc. That's why they often suffer from children. For example, kindergartens and schools often register epidemiological outbreaks of this disease, as children learn and play together. Viral infection can accumulate in the dust.

Molluscum contagiosum: symptoms and course of the disease

The incubation period for this virus is from two weeks to several months. The disease begins with the appearance on the skin of nodules of normal color. Nodules are firm to the touch with a hole in the middle. If such a bundle is strongly squeezed from two sides, then an off-white substance is released that resembles cottage cheese in consistency. Gradually, the number of nodules increases, they merge and form fairly large papules. In most cases, such a rash does not cause any discomfort, although some patients complain of itching.

After the skin has been damaged by the virus, skin infection with a secondary bacterial infection can occur. As a result, the rash starts to blush and fester. In adult patients, the rash usually appears in the hip and groin area. Children can also spread nodules throughout the body, except for the skin of the feet and palms.

Molluscum contagiosum and methods of its treatment

Molluscum contagiosum is a rather specific disease, which is easy to diagnose. In order to finally diagnose, the doctor can prescribe an analysis of epithelial cells in which during a microscopic examination you can detect particles of the virus.

Treatment is reduced to removing nodules with surgical tweezers. The procedure is performed by either a dermatologist or a urologist. After removal, the foci of inflammation should be carefully treated with a solution of iodine (sometimes with the same purpose use a weak solution of potassium permanganate).

Molluscum contagiosum: treatment with folk remedies

Traditional medicine knows many ways to fight this disease. The most popular and effective is fresh garlic juice. This substance needs to lubricate the nodules at least 4 times a day. During the procedure, you need to be very careful, since you can not miss a single nodule - the viruses multiply very quickly. With regular treatment of the skin with garlic juice, the nodules eventually darken, peel off, and then fall off.

Another medicine is a decoction of marigold. It is necessary to brew a strong broth of this medicinal plant and lubricate the affected skin three times a day. Approximately after two weeks of such treatment all external symptoms of the disease will disappear.

The molluscum contagiosum is also treated with the help of celandine juice. Within a month, you need to treat the nodules every day with fresh juice or an alcohol tincture of this plant.

It is worthwhile to understand that the people's means of fighting the disease are only auxiliary, so do not give up the help of a dermatologist.

After recovery, you need to change bed linens, wash clothes and towels, in a word, eliminate the risk of re-infection.