Contagious molluscum - Causes, symptoms and treatment. MF.
Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infectious disease that mainly affects the skin, and sometimes mucous membranes. Both adults and children are ill.
Causes of molluscum contagiosum
The cause is a virus that belongs to the family of Poxoviruses. There are four types of pathogens. The first type affects, as a rule, the skin of children. The second type is HIV-infected. It was not possible to isolate in the cell culture for a given period of time. The virus is transmitted by contact by skin-to-skin contact and "contaminated" items( use of a common bath, washcloths).Cases of infection in swimming pools are described. Very often it is transmitted through sexual contacts.
Symptoms of molluscum contagiosum
The incubation period( from the moment of infection to the appearance of the first signs) is from 14 -15 days to several months. The main symptoms of the disease are the appearance of nodules in different parts of the body with a characteristic umbilical impression in the center. When you remove the molluscum inside it is a white, gruel-like mass.
Symptoms of molluscum contagiosum on the skin
The dimensions of the rashes vary from the pinhead and more. They are dense, painless, the same color as the skin. HIV is another matter when a normal immune response suffers. Elements are characterized by multiple small or giant formations. Very often the person is affected, where the scars form in their place.
When pregnancy symptoms are the same. Intrauterine infection is impossible, and perhaps with breastfeeding contact, if the mother is sick.
Diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum
A differential diagnosis is carried out with neoplasms of the skin( cancer, cyst), other viral diseases, such as flat warts, genital warts. Therefore, with characteristic complaints, contact the dermatologist or surgeon for an appointment.
An experienced specialist will diagnose an examination. As additional methods, histology is used when the removed element is looked under a microscope. Be sure to take tests for all STDs and HIV, especially if there is a sexually transmitted infection. All people who were in close contact with the sick person are subject to inspection.
Treatment of molluscum contagiosa
According to some authors it is considered that under normal immunity the molluscum contagiosum passes independently, in 2 - 3 months and up to six months. This is read as a "call" that you do not need to be treated. .. Let me disagree. Firstly, it is not known how much people can be infected during this period? !Secondly, the disease is infectious, old rashes may pass, but new ones will appear.
The main method of treatment is the removal of molluscs with surgical tweezers( most often), laser, electrocoagulation( current spark with massive formations) followed by 5% iodine treatment. Be sure to completely clean the messy mass, where the virus is.
The procedure is as painful as a mosquito bite. Very seriously, one should approach treatment if rashes are localized on the face, in order to avoid the appearance of scars.
After the procedure, you can not immediately apply the bath, you need to change the linen, make thermal treatment of personal care products( basts, shaving accessories) - all boil.
A daily examination of yourself is mandatory, as new recurrences of the disease are possible.
Folk remedies
One of the popular folk methods of treatment is the juice of garlic and celandine, but as experience shows, all this is longer, and the common man still needs to be diagnosed correctly. It is appropriate to use all this in addition, after removal and to prevent the renewal of a new process.
Complications of molluscum contagiosum
Complications, it must be admitted, are rare. Can be a skin niggle and the appearance of giant elements that lead to scarring. Most often it occurs in HIV-infected people. Therefore, it is better not to start the disease and see a doctor.
Prevention
The main prevention is observance of personal hygiene and frequent examination of your skin for timely treatment.
Consultation of a doctor for molluscum contagiosum
Question: How to avoid infection in the pool?
Answer: Probably, it's right to choose a swimming pool. Watch how it is contained, how processing is done in it, and so on.
Question: Is it possible to get infected from animals?
Answer: No. The source is only a person.
Question: Does the dermatologist remove the mollusc or send it to the surgeon?
Answer: Most often by sterile instruments and under sterile conditions.
Doctor dermatovenereologist Mansurov A.S.