My own daughter had a whopping case of this this a few years ago for nearly a year, it's an awful thing. It was all over her thighs - both of them. For the benefit of our readers, Molluscum Contagiosum is a very clearly contagious viral infection, very similar to HPV, and it might even be actually a papillomavirus.
It is self-limiting so the body will eventually get rid of it. In the meantime while there are active lesions, it can transfer it to other people. I didn't know how contagious it was and put lotion (aloe vera) on her legs all the time. But no-one else in our home got it.
The best thing to do if with molluscum is to support the immune system - to support viral elimination of the immune system to facilitate your body getting rid of the infection.
Cosmetic removal using cryotherapy (freezing), curettage (removing the fluid inside the bumps, which contain the virus), and laser is possible. However removal can be painful and may result in scarring, although scars may also happen with natural healing of the bumps.
Creams containing salicylic acid and other chemicals may be applied at home to help remove the bumps, though these creams do not always work. Cimetidine is an oral medicine that is sometimes prescribed for small children. As with any medication, there is always the chance of negative side effects.
Before starting any treatment, please talk to your family physician, firstly for confirmation of the virus, and secondly to determine the best course of treatment, if any, may be beneficial for your child. Most doctors, like ours, will recommend to simply wait it out. It will leave, eventually, and anti-itch creams can help with symptoms.
Our daughter's molluscum ended after almost a year, and a trip to the beach. She was in the ocean every day and two weeks later, her symptoms eased and were all gone within 4 weeks. I can't say if this was a coincidence or not but the salty ocean water seemed to do wonders!
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Hello Anon
Thank you for writing.
My own daughter had a whopping case of this this a few years ago for nearly a year, it's an awful thing. It was all over her thighs - both of them. For the benefit of our readers, Molluscum Contagiosum is a very clearly contagious viral infection, very similar to HPV, and it might even be actually a papillomavirus.
It is self-limiting so the body will eventually get rid of it. In the meantime while there are active lesions, it can transfer it to other people. I didn't know how contagious it was and put lotion (aloe vera) on her legs all the time. But no-one else in our home got it.
The best thing to do if with molluscum is to support the immune system - to support viral elimination of the immune system to facilitate your body getting rid of the infection.
Cosmetic removal using cryotherapy (freezing), curettage (removing the fluid inside the bumps, which contain the virus), and laser is possible. However removal can be painful and may result in scarring, although scars may also happen with natural healing of the bumps.
Creams containing salicylic acid and other chemicals may be applied at home to help remove the bumps, though these creams do not always work. Cimetidine is an oral medicine that is sometimes prescribed for small children. As with any medication, there is always the chance of negative side effects.
Before starting any treatment, please talk to your family physician, firstly for confirmation of the virus, and secondly to determine the best course of treatment, if any, may be beneficial for your child. Most doctors, like ours, will recommend to simply wait it out. It will leave, eventually, and anti-itch creams can help with symptoms.
Our daughter's molluscum ended after almost a year, and a trip to the beach. She was in the ocean every day and two weeks later, her symptoms eased and were all gone within 4 weeks. I can't say if this was a coincidence or not but the salty ocean water seemed to do wonders!
Best,
July 18, 2018 - 3:44amSusan
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