Molluscum Contagiosum

What Is Molluscum Contagiosum?

Molluscum Contagiosum

The molluscum contagiosum (or Molluscum contagiosum) is a skin disease that usually causes small lesions or papules (lesions soft). It is usually benign infection and symptoms may heal on their own without any medication. Molluscum contagiosum was once a disease affecting mainly children, but then it has evolved, becoming a sexually transmitted disease that affects adults. It is thought that the virus belongs to the family of the smallpox virus.

Molluscum Contagiosum Symptoms

In adults, the lesions usually occur on the thighs, buttocks, groin and lower abdomen and, in some cases, may appear on the external genitals and anal area.
Children usually have lesions on the face, trunk, legs, and arms.
The lesions are at the beginning of the small bulges that, after a period of several weeks, may enlarge. They can be of the same color, gray, off-white, yellow or pink. Sometimes cause itching or pain in the area in which they appear, but in most cases give a few problems. The lesions caused by the molluscum contagiosum can last from two weeks up to four years, but on average remain visible for two years.
If very large and inflamed papules may leave scars.
AIDS patients and all those who have compromised immune systems may have more severe rashes.

Molluscum Contagiosum Transmission

Molluscum contagiosum can be transmitted by sexual contact, through contact between the epidermis (and not necessarily in the mucous membranes) and/or with the skin lesions. The transmission through sexual contact is the most common form of infection among adults.
The infection can also occur if you come into contact with objects, such as towels and clothes, which were close to the injury. The transmission of the virus has been associated with water pools and sharing baths or showers with an infected patient.
It ‘also possible to transmit for self-injection, for example when you touch a lesion of the skin and then another part of the body. To stop the contagion, not shave areas or close to areas with visible infections.
The incubation period lasts on average 2 or 3 months, but in some cases can last from one week to six months.
It is not known with certainty as far as you remain contagious, but the researchers believe that the virus until it is deleted, it can always be transmitted.

Molluscum Contagiosum Dangers

In people infected with the HIV virus, molluscum contagiosum is often a chronic and progressive disease.

Molluscum Contagiosum Diagnosis

The diagnosis is usually made the possible looking characteristic of the lesions. Molluscum contagiosum can be diagnosed by taking a sample from the lesion, placing it on a slide and performing the so-called Gram stain: Depending on the color obtained is not clear whether the cells are infected or not. The diagnosis, in addition, can also be performed by collecting a sample from the lesion and examining it with an electron microscope.

Molluscum Contagiosum Care and Treatment

Most of the symptoms of molluscum contagiosum disappear without resorting to drugs, but usually, papules are removed. Their removal decreases the probability is injected to infect others.
The papules may be surgically removed and/or treated with a chemical, such as podophyllin, cantharidin, phenol, silver nitrate, trichloroacetic acid or the iodine. Removal method is alternative cryotherapy.
A more recent approach involves the application directly on the lesions antiviral drugs such as cidofovir or imiquimod in a.
Lesions may recur, but it is unclear whether relapses are due to reinfection, the deterioration of subclinical infection or reactivation of a ‘latent infection.

Molluscum Contagiosum Prevention

The transmission through sexual contact is the most common form of infection among adults, so the most effective way to prevent the viral infection is to avoid contact with an infected partner epidermis.
Condoms or other barrier methods for vaginal, oral and anal sex can help to avoid contact. These methods, however, have some limitations, because to be infected from MCV is not necessary to contact between mucous membranes.
It is not advisable to use spermicides, because they can irritate the skin or vaginal tissue and, especially in women, causing abrasions (tiny openings in the skin) that may facilitate the spread of STDs and sexually transmitted infections.
The condom can protect the penis or the vagina from infection, however, does not prevent contact with other areas, such as the scrotum or anal area.
It is advisable to have monogamous relationships (i.e. have sex with only one partner healthy) and expect the partner to do the same with you.
If you have been suffering from molluscum contagiosum avoid touching other parts of the body immediately after touching a lesion: you can only do that if you wash your hands well to prevent the risk of self-injection.

Molluscum Contagiosum (MC) is a common skin infection.

Molluscum Contagiosum is a Contagious Skin Condition