Molluscum contagiosum: symptoms, photos, treatment, causes
What it is? Contagious mollusk is an infectious disease that has typical skin manifestations. They are as follows:
Molluscum contagiosum is a viral disease. Its main reason is infection with the virus-causative agent, which belongs to the group of pus. This virus can cause the development of the disease only in humans, so the molluscum contagiosum is anthroponosis. Animals can not be a source of infection, since they are neither carriers nor sick with this disease.
Epidemiologists distinguish four main types of this virus. The greatest danger is presented by the first and second types, which are most often found in humans.for these viruses is characterized by the sexual way of transmission.
Another way of infection can be infected water, for example, in the pool. In addition, the transfer can occur with the use of general personal care products - scouring, towels, etc.
Thus, there are two main ways of infection:
Predisposing factors for the development of molluscum contagiosum in children and adults are:
In adults and children, the clinical symptoms of molluscum contagiosum appear after the incubation period, it lasts from the moment of infection until the first symptoms of the disease appear. On average, this period ranges from 2 weeks to several months.
It all starts with the appearance on the skin( typical places above) of formations that slightly rise above it. Their shape is hemispherical. They can have the same color as the skin that surrounds them. But they can be slightly pinker. The number of rashes is different( there are cases when there are a lot of them).
The central part of the erythematous element is somewhat depressed, which looks very much like the navel. This is a pathognomonic clinical sign of a molluscum contagiosum. The dimensions of one element can range from one millimeter to 10. The surface of the rashes is shiny, that is, they have a pearlescent hue.
Another typical sign of a molluscum contagiosum is the release of curds after pressing on the skin element. In this he is somewhat similar to an eel, but from the eel stands out dark contents, but here it is light. It is important that the itching is not characteristic for this disease, although it may be present, but does not cause serious anxiety. Activation of the bacterial flora residing on the skin can also be observed, which somewhat alters the clinical picture of the disease.
Eruptions with molluscum contagiosum exist about six months. After this period, they can regress themselves, so the dermatologist differentially approaches the purpose of treatment. It may not always be required.
Diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum as an infectious disease is not difficult. It is based on the following data:
Treatment of molluscum contagiosum is carried out only with reduced immunity, no regression of rashes, and also with high viral load. At the initial stage, it is enough to observe the skin elements within six months, since after this time they can regress themselves.
If the doctor decides to perform the treatment, it can be of four main types:
Doctor Komarovsky talks about methods of treating the disease in children.
Effective prevention of this disease in children and adults is absent. The only recommendation is to prevent infection with this virus, as well as to strengthen immunity. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid accidental sexual intercourse, to treat opportunistic diseases of the body in a timely manner.
It is important to observe the rules of personal hygiene and hygienic care of premises, use your own toilet items( your bast, your towels, etc.).It is very important to contact the dermatologist in time - as soon as the slightest symptoms of trouble in the body appear.
Molluscum contagiosum is not a serious danger to the body. However, if there are rashes that resemble this disease, then it is necessary to consult a doctor.
This is explained by the following arguments:
However, sometimes additional research methods are required.after the diagnosis is established, the dermatovenereologist prescribes treatment not always, which depends on various factors( immunity, viral load, etc.).
- 1) Appearance of dense rashes;
- 2) They have a small diameter;
- 3) Painted in pink;
- 4) Their surface is shiny;
- 5) Have a favorite localization - the lower abdomen, genitals, pubis, inner thighs.
What is it?
Molluscum contagiosum is a viral disease. Its main reason is infection with the virus-causative agent, which belongs to the group of pus. This virus can cause the development of the disease only in humans, so the molluscum contagiosum is anthroponosis. Animals can not be a source of infection, since they are neither carriers nor sick with this disease.
Epidemiologists distinguish four main types of this virus. The greatest danger is presented by the first and second types, which are most often found in humans.for these viruses is characterized by the sexual way of transmission.
Another way of infection can be infected water, for example, in the pool. In addition, the transfer can occur with the use of general personal care products - scouring, towels, etc.
Thus, there are two main ways of infection:
- 1) Sexual.
- 2) Contact - through the infected water and personal hygiene items.
Predisposing factors for the development of molluscum contagiosum in children and adults are:
- decreased immunity against a background of various diseases;
- violation of personal hygiene;
- violation of hygienic measures in the house;
- immunodeficiency states.
Symptoms of molluscum contagiosum
In adults and children, the clinical symptoms of molluscum contagiosum appear after the incubation period, it lasts from the moment of infection until the first symptoms of the disease appear. On average, this period ranges from 2 weeks to several months.
It all starts with the appearance on the skin( typical places above) of formations that slightly rise above it. Their shape is hemispherical. They can have the same color as the skin that surrounds them. But they can be slightly pinker. The number of rashes is different( there are cases when there are a lot of them).
The central part of the erythematous element is somewhat depressed, which looks very much like the navel. This is a pathognomonic clinical sign of a molluscum contagiosum. The dimensions of one element can range from one millimeter to 10. The surface of the rashes is shiny, that is, they have a pearlescent hue.
Another typical sign of a molluscum contagiosum is the release of curds after pressing on the skin element. In this he is somewhat similar to an eel, but from the eel stands out dark contents, but here it is light. It is important that the itching is not characteristic for this disease, although it may be present, but does not cause serious anxiety. Activation of the bacterial flora residing on the skin can also be observed, which somewhat alters the clinical picture of the disease.
Eruptions with molluscum contagiosum exist about six months. After this period, they can regress themselves, so the dermatologist differentially approaches the purpose of treatment. It may not always be required.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum as an infectious disease is not difficult. It is based on the following data:
- 1) Careful examination of the skin with the identification of typical signs of this infection.
- 2) Carrying out a histological examination in difficult cases for diagnosis. The pathognomonic sign will be the presence of mollusc bodies, which are located in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells.
- 1) PCR diagnostics for HIV or the detection of antibodies to this virus.
- 2) Identification of infections that can be transmitted sexually( hepatitis B and C, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and others).
- red flat lichen;
- warts that develop when infected with human papillomavirus;
- of keratoacanthoma, its multiple form;
- epithelioma is an epithelial benign tumor.
- 1) Horny epithelium cells that are found in the material from the nodules.
- 2) The presence of mollusc bodies, which are oval in shape, located intracytoplasmically. Over time, they grow, displacing the nucleus of the cell to the periphery.
- 3) The most affected is the basal layer of the epithelium.
Treatment of molluscum contagiosum
Treatment of molluscum contagiosum is carried out only with reduced immunity, no regression of rashes, and also with high viral load. At the initial stage, it is enough to observe the skin elements within six months, since after this time they can regress themselves.
If the doctor decides to perform the treatment, it can be of four main types:
- squeezing out the rashes and their subsequent treatment with a concentrated iodine solution;
- electrocoagulation;
- topical application of antiviral and immunomodulating agents;
- antibiotics from the tetracycline group if multiple skin lesions are observed.
Molluscum contagiosum in children: treatment of Komarovsky
Doctor Komarovsky talks about methods of treating the disease in children.
Prevention
Effective prevention of this disease in children and adults is absent. The only recommendation is to prevent infection with this virus, as well as to strengthen immunity. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid accidental sexual intercourse, to treat opportunistic diseases of the body in a timely manner.
It is important to observe the rules of personal hygiene and hygienic care of premises, use your own toilet items( your bast, your towels, etc.).It is very important to contact the dermatologist in time - as soon as the slightest symptoms of trouble in the body appear.
Complications of molluscum contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is not a serious danger to the body. However, if there are rashes that resemble this disease, then it is necessary to consult a doctor.
This is explained by the following arguments:
- 1) A person who does not have a medical dermatological disease can easily confuse skin rashes with other diseases that are already dangerous to the body.
- 2) The presence of clinical manifestations of molluscum contagiosum is a sign of reduced immunity. This condition can lead to serious health problems due to the generalization of infection from chronic foci. In addition, reduced immunity may be a sign of HIV infection.
However, sometimes additional research methods are required.after the diagnosis is established, the dermatovenereologist prescribes treatment not always, which depends on various factors( immunity, viral load, etc.).