What is Molluscum contagiosum ?
Molluscum contagiosum skin infection is common in children under 15 years age.it can be easily be transmitted through direct contact with the skin of another infected human.it causes papules on the skin and generally are painless and do not itch much but looks ugly. they may attack any area of skin. most of the patients found it on arms and legs. According to CDC, Molluscum contagiosum most of the time they heal on their own within 6 to 12 months without taking medication they do not leave scars on the skin.
for a few people, it may resolve after 3 to 4 years.[1]
Causes of Molluscum contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a virus part of the poxvirus family. this virus can be transmitted by sexual contact and people with the weak immune system are more at risk to get infected. it can spread with a single scratching and rubbing which spreads the virus to nearby skin.
- Scratching or rubbing the skin.
- Skin to skin contact.
- sexual contact with an affected person.
- Contact with contaminated objects.
- Weak immune system.
Signs and symptoms of molluscum contagiosum
- Bumps of the skin
- Irritation
- Skin can be removed by scratching
- Appears on the arms, legs, neck, armpits, hands-on children
- Can appear on the lower abdomen, genitals, inner upper thighs in adults.
When to consult the doctor
If the itching is hurting and not stopping and if you or your child rubbing or scratching regularly and home remedies are not working then you should consult the doctor as soon as possible.
How to prevent molluscum contagiosum
help prevent the further spread of the virus
- Do not share personal items with anyone including, clothes, towels, hairbrushes, do not use other personal items.
- Cover the bumps when going out so that virus will not spread further.
- Avoid sexual contact do not have sex until your molluscum contagiosum are gone from genitals.
- Wash your hands keep it clean always.
- Never touch the bumps it will create more trouble for your skin and can infect other people.
Molluscum contagiosum home remedy for adults
Tea tree oil and iodine
Tea tree oil contains antiseptic properties and it helps to reduce irritation and inflame the skin. iodine will reduce the germs on the skin, both remedies are used to many skin conditions and found to be effective.
Medical research was conducted by The US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health 2012 and found that combination and tea tree oil helps to reduce the skin lesions by 90 per cent in children. the results were achieved after 30 days of daily treatment twice a day.[F]
Note: Tea tree oil can cause a reaction on the skin in a few people. it is better to a test before applying to a large part of the skin. apply in a small area and wait for 24 hours if you find no reaction than continue. REMEMBER never consume tea tree oil with the mouth.
Australian lemon myrtle oil
Australian lemon myrtle oil is an effective essential oil to treat molluscum contagiosum. A medical study conducted by The US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health and found in children that if we apply 10 per cent Australian lemon myrtle oil once a day for 20 days then it can reduce the lesions by 90%.[3]
Coconut oil
Coconut oil contains fatty acids and about 90% is saturated fats and is associated with a multitude of health benefits. It is widely used for many skin conditions and has been found effective without any side effects. coconut helps to soothe the skin also help to prevent skin from drying out. coconut oil reduces skin irritation if applied directly to the affected areas. REMEMBER to buy only organic and 100% natural coconut oil.[4]
Oregano oil
Oregano oil is widely used in Italian food.it contains powerful antioxidants, thymol, terpenes, carvacrol and rosmarinic acid compounds which have effective health benefits for the skin. all these properties reduce the inflammation in affected areas caused by Molluscum contagiosum virus. when applied directly to the skin.[6]
