It would be perfect if we could just stay healthy, never get sick and have no need to see a doctor or take medications ever. But sometimes, it is when people are healthy that they could feel some sort of invincibility towards illness and totally disregard even the most basic rules regarding sex. Thus, this seemingly slight oversight can cause damage to our health.
Molluscum Contagiosum is one of them. As the Latin name of the infection may give you a hint, this is contagious. The disease is a kin infection, common among humankind, and it is usually benign. The categories of the people who can be contaminated are the children as well as sexually active adults, and immune-depressed patients.
It is caused by a molluscipox virus. This stereotype of virus is different from the others in its family by the fact that it causes spontaneous lesions; they look like small tumors of the skin rather than papules. The eruption takes place at the skin level as well as at the mucous level. It was first described by Bateman at the beginning of the nineteenth century. The manifestations at the skin level of this infection are various.
It produces small bumps in different sizes. It can be as big as head of a pin up to the size of a pepper seed. The lump can be round or curved. It may come as the same colour of the skin. They are firm to the touch. A number of lesions can be produced, numbering from one to a dozen. When squeezed, they secrete a whitish sticky substance akin to paste.
This particular action is not recommended because it encourages the spread of the virus on the next areas of the skin. Such common affection can emerge in the case of children who use public swimming pools. It also affects kids with low levels of immunity system. Even though it is a self-limited affection, you should not let it untreated.
Immune-depressed individuals could have a hard time in dealing with it, because the rupture of the lumps can lead to the spreading of the virus. On the other hand, there are institutions such as kinder gardens or schools, which do not accept pupils, which present lesions caused by this virus, at the skin level.
This infection can be treated in various ways. There are available medications especially for this infection or it can be removed through surgery. If the individual is not suffering from low immune syndrome, the disease can be healed by itself in a few months, however if the situation is otherwise, then the infection can take years to heal.
As much as possible do not use other people's towel, and if you have to, make sure that its owner is not infected with lesions caused by the virus. Same care should be taken before using a pool, discreetly inspect the location and condition of the pool. One cannot be too careful because as you well know, this disease can be contracted through direct contact. Following the fundamental rules of cleanliness and being conscious of the condition of the places you visit and things you use and even the physical condition of your sex partner, as regards to such illness, can avert this disease from happening to you.
Molluscum contagiosum consists of small, harmless growths caused by a virus that is a member of the poxvirus family. They resemble pimples with a waxy, pinkish look and a small central pit. This is a common infection in children. It is frequently seen on the face, neck, arm pit, arms, and hands but may occur anywhere on the body except the palms and soles. The name molluscum contagiosum implies that the virus develops growths that are easily spread by skin contact. Similar to warts, this virus belongs to the poxvirus family and enters the skin through small breaks of hair follicles. It is not a serious disease and usually clears up within a few months. It can, however, last for up to two years. There are 4 types of Molluscum contagiosum virus, MCV-1 to -4, with MCV-1 being the most prevalent and MCV-2 seen usually in adults and often transmitted. The incidence of MC infections in young children is around 17% and peaks between 2-12 years of age. In adults, molluscum infections are often transmitted and usually affects the genitals, lower abdomen, buttocks, and inner thighs.
There is no single perfect treatment for molluscum contagiosum. There is usually no inflammation and subsequently no redness unless the person has been digging or scratching at the lesions. In the mature molluscum, the top of the nodule may be opened with a sterile needle and a small waxy core can be seen and squeezed out of the lesion. In rare cases, molluscum infections are also found on the lips and mouth. It frequently induces a type of dermatitis in the affected areas, which are dry, pink and itchy. Molluscum contagiosum may rarely leave tiny pit-like scars. The incubation period is usually shorter. This is suggested by the fact that while viral particles are noted in the basal layer, viral DNA replication and the formation of new viral particles do not occur until the spindle and granular layers of the epidermis are involved. The virus replicates in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells producing cytoplasmic inclusions, and it may cause enlargement of infected cells. Molluscum contagiosum virus can be found worldwide with a higher distribution in the tropical areas. The disease is more prevalent in children with the lesions involving the face, trunk, and extremities.
Causes of Molluscum contagiosum
The common causes and risk factor's of Molluscum contagiosum include the following:
A Molluscum contagiosum virus that is a member of the poxvirus family.
Contact with contaminated objects, such as toys, doorknobs or faucet handles.
Scratching or rubbing the papules.
Physical contact with an infected individual or material (fomites, for example shared clothing or towels).
Multiple members within a family.
Skin-to-skin contact (close contact) with an infected person.
Contact with an affected partner.
Symptoms of Molluscum contagiosum
Some sign and symptoms related to Molluscum contagiosum are as follows:
Pink, pearl-like spots on the face, arms and legs, which can be 1 to 5mm in diameter.
Itching.
Irritated skin lesions.
Eczema around the bumps.
Have a dimple in the center.
The papules typically appear on the face, neck, armpits, hands and arms.
Treatment of Molluscum contagiosum
Here is list of the methods for treating Molluscum contagiosum:
Medications, such as those used to remove warts, may be helpful in removal of lesions.
Freezing the lumps.
Antiseptic applied to the affected areas is helpful only if local infection occurs - which shows as painful red areas around the molluscum spots.
Removing the viral material in the center by scraping the center briskly (curettage).
Surgical treatments include cryosurgery, in which liquid nitrogen is used to freeze and destroy lesions, as well as scraping them off with a curette.
Pricking the lumps.
Other treatments include pricking the mollusca with a strong chemical that causes the contents to burst out, (this can be painful and may leave scars); and scraping off the mollusca (cutterage).
Both Elizabeth Campbell & Juliet Cohen are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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