Molluscum Contagiosum in Adults & Kids

How to care for Molluscum Contagiosum in Adults & Kids 1 e-book edition

2 TOPICS Common Treatments for Molluscum Contagiosum How to Stop Molluscum Contagiosum from Spreading to Other Parts of Your Body or to Family Members Myths about Molluscum Contagiosum What Is Molluscum Contagiosum? Is this Molluscum Contagiosum? 5 Commonly Confused Skin Diseases What are the long-term effects? What are possible complications from Molluscum Contagiosum?

3 Common Treatments for Molluscum Contagiosum Molluscum Contagiosum is a virus. The infection is usually a mild skin disease characterized by lesions (bumps) that can appear anywhere on the body. Generally speaking, Molluscum Contagiosum can take from 6-12 months to go away if left untreated, however, in some cases it can take up to 4 years to heal (according to the CDC). To improve the skin s appearance and, more importantly, prevent the virus from spreading, many patients try to treat it. Treatments include: Cryotherapy: This treatment method uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the lesions. It destroys the bump from the outside. While the results are very quick, cryotherapy can cause scarring, skin numbness, or infection. Some patients have reported skin discolorations after undergoing cryotherapy and this process must be performed by a qualified health care provider. Curettage: Curettage is a treatment option performed by a doctor where a curette is used to remove the bumps from the skin. A curette is a medical instrument used for scrapping tissue. The process can be very painful, as the curette is extremely sharp and requires a great deal of pressure on the skin to be successful. While the results are immediate, it is usually only used for patients with a very small number of bumps. This method can cause scarring and/or discoloration.

4 Generally speaking, this process is not recommended for children, as the experience can be extremely painful and/ or frightening. Topical creams: There are topical treatments available, but some are toxic in certain situations and others must be prescribed by a health care professional and may include blistering agents that could cause scarring. Note From Our Sponsor: There is one topical cream that has been used by over 30,000 people and been shown to start healing lesions in as little as 7-12 days, without the risks of scarring or the pain of treatments like curettage or cryotherapy. If you are interested in getting more information, please see our sponsor s products at: www.conzerol.com

5 How to STOP Molluscum Contagiosum from spreading to other Parts of your body or to family members The virus is extremely contagious and easily spread through contact and even sharing household items. Here are some ways to minimize the chances of spreading the virus to family members. We ll discuss two of the most common scenarios: What to do if you re a parent with Molluscum Contagiosum and you want to prevent your children from being infected...(and) What to do if it s your child who has contracted the virus.

6 Preventing the Spread of Molluscum Contagiosum to Your Children Many people are ashamed to talk about Molluscum Contagiosum. While you can catch it in many ways, in adults, it s often spread through sexual contact. This causes many people to be too embarrassed to get treatment, let alone talk to their children about it. Regardless of how you were infected, it s important to protect others from catching it. So, follow these simple guidelines: Cover the Affected Areas: If the lesions from the virus are in a place your child may touch, like your hands or arms, cover the bumps with a gentle gauze or bandage to prevent your child from getting the lumps too. you share as a family, like toys or counters. Scrub them down with disinfectant wipes to make sure it s virus-free. Separate your laundry: The lumps can be spread by sharing towels or washcloths. Make sure you keep your used towels away from where your child may pick them up and have them use different towels to be safe. Don t scratch or pick at molluscum lesions: It is important not to touch, pick, or scratch skin that has lesions, that includes not only your own skin but anyone else s. Picking and scratching can spread the virus to other parts of the body and makes it easier to spread the disease to other people too. Wipe down common surfaces: Molluscum Contagiosum is so easily spread that it may be contracted by just touching areas

7 What if my child is the one with Molluscum Contagiosum? Children get Molluscum Contagiosum very easily. Once your child has it, it can easily spread to you or to other family members. Taking these steps will help it heal quickly, minimizing the discomfort for your child and keeping it from spreading: interested in a soap that has been specially formulated for use with Molluscum, have a look at our sponsor s website at www.conzerol.com Be careful during sports activities: Do not share towels, clothing, or other personal items. People with Molluscum should not take part in contact sports like wrestling, basketball, and football unless all lesions can be covered by clothing or bandages. Keep your child from scratching: While the bumps from Molluscum Contagiosum are usually harmless and painless, they can get itchy or irritated if your child scratches them. Besides covering the bumps with bandages, you may also try putting soft gloves on your child s hands while they sleep so they can t scratch them at night. Clean toys and linens: Just like you would wipe down common surfaces, you should also be sure to keep toys clean with disinfectants and wash bed linens often. Encourage regular hygiene: Regular soaps and body washes can irritate or worsen Molluscum Contagiosum. Be sure to use mild non-abrasive soaps. If you are Activities that use shared gear like helmets, baseball gloves and balls should also be avoided unless all lesions can be covered. Swimming should also be avoided unless all lesions can be covered by watertight bandages. Personal items such as towels, goggles, and swim suits should not be shared. Other items and equipment such as kick boards and water toys should be used only when all lesions are covered by clothing or watertight bandages. While Molluscum Contagiosum can be annoying and bothersome, it can be managed. With just a few steps and precautions, you can prevent it from spreading to the rest of your family.

8 Myths about Molluscum Contagiosum Molluscum contagiosum is a very common virus, affecting approximately 500,000 people each year. But while the virus is mostly harmless, having skin lesions and bumps and worrying about spreading the virus can be incredibly stressful. Even worse, there are many myths and misinformation out there that can scare you even further or even delay your recovery. Here are some of the most common myths about molluscum contagiosum:

9 Molluscum Contagiosum doesn t require medical treatment. Many sites recommend benign neglect as a suitable treatment option for the virus. While it s true that sometimes the virus can clear up on its own, it can take up to six months to a year for the lesions to go away and sometimes much longer. In the meantime, the virus is very easily spread, especially with children attending school and playing with other kids. Effective treatments will clear up the lesions quickly, so you can return to your normal routine. Acne medicine will clear up lesions. While some lesions may resemble everyday pimples, they are extremely different. Common acne medications like benzoyl peroxide will not improve the appearance of the bumps and can in fact irritate the skin and increase itching. There is lots of misinformation about Molluscum Contagiosum and it s important to understand just what the virus is and how it can be treated to minimize the virus symptoms and prevent it from spreading. Once you ve had Molluscum Contagiosum, you can t get it again. While both viruses, molluscum contagiosum is very different from chicken pox. Whereas most people who have had chicken pox won t get it again during their lifetime, you can catch molluscum contagiosum several times if you come into contact with a carrier. That s why it s so important to seek out treatment at the first sign of lesions.

10 WHAT IS Molluscum Contagiosum? Molluscum Contagiosum looks like raised bumps on the skin that are usually pink or flesh-colored. They range in size from the tip of a pin to 1 4 inch in diameter. Lesions are generally smooth, circular, have a dimple and are painless to the touch. They have a waxy core and may occur anywhere on the body including the face, neck, arms, legs, abdomen, and genital area...alone or in groups. Secondary bacterial infections may occur in some lesions causing them to redden, itch, break or become sore.

11 Is this Molluscum Contagiosum? 5 Commonly Confused Skin Diseases Many skin diseases are extremely common, affecting millions of Americans each year. Despite how prevalent skin disorders are, many people don t know what their infection is or what to do to treat it when they find a rash or bump. Skin disorders can range from harmless and easily treated to serious, requiring intensive medical intervention. It s important to be able to recognize the symptoms so you can get to an appropriate doctor for treatment. This is a list of five common skin disorders to watch for:

12 Warts Common warts are small little lumps that can feel grainy or rough. They typically appear on the hands and fingers of both adults and children. Caused by a virus and very contagious, warts usually affect people with a weakened immune system. One tell-tale symptom is the presence of small black dots, which signals small blood vessel clots. Warts can appear to be other skin diseases, so normally a biopsy is necessary to determine the appropriate diagnosis. Warts can go away on their own, but because they can last for a very long time, many people opt to have them removed via cryotherapy or acid treatments. Eczema Eczema is a skin disease that causes the skin to appear red and irritated with flaky or scaly skin. It can become very prominent and bothersome, but then subside for a while. Some patients are very uncomfortable due to constant itching. Unlike other skin diseases, eczema is not contagious; its exact cause is unknown but is believed to be a result of genetics and environmental factors. Diagnosis is typically made through a simple visual examination of the impacted areas. There is no cure for eczema, but the irritation associated with it can be managed with moisturizers and other creams. Psoriasis Psoriasis is a very common skin disease causing the skin to become scaly, dry, and red. Like eczema, psoriasis is not contagious and is a chronic condition, meaning there is no cure and it will continue throughout a patient s life. Psoriasis cause isn t known, but scientists suggest that it could be the result of immune system differences. Stress, cold weather, and common infections can make the condition flare up and look worse. Usually psoriasis is diagnosed through a visual exam, but because it can be confused with other skin diseases like eczema, sometimes a biopsy is necessary. Topical creams and retinoids usually used to treat skin damaged by the sun are used to minimize the appearance of scaly skin. Sometimes oral treatments are prescribed to help control psoriasis as well. Rosacea Rosacea is a condition that causes red patches to appear on the face, frequently accompanied by small, hard lumps. Rosacea affects both men and women,

13 but middle-aged women are the most commonly diagnosed. The direct cause of rosacea is unknown, but certain factors like stress, sunlight, and hot baths can make it worse. Rosacea can appear to be other skin diseases like acne, psoriasis, or eczema, so it requires a physical examination and a study of your health records to get a proper diagnosis. Antibiotics and various acne medications can make a difference in the appearance of rosacea, minimizing the redness and lumps. In more severe cases where the underlying blood vessels are inflamed, surgical options may be considered to lessen the visibility of those vessels. Molluscum Contagiosum Molluscum contagiosum is a very common skin disease that causes red lumps or lesions to appear on the skin. Most commonly affecting children, the infection can also impact adults and is highly contagious. While the bumps themselves are relatively harmless, they can get irritated and sore and can make people self- conscious about their appearance. Usually a doctor can diagnosis the condition just by looking at the lesions, but may require a biopsy if there s any doubt. Molluscum contagiosum can clear up on its own, but this process can take months or even years. During that healing time, the infected person remains extremely contagious. Most doctors will recommend treatment to speed up the process. Conzerol, a topical cream, can clear up the bumps in as little as 2 to 4 weeks. Without the risks of scarring or infection like other treatment options, Conzerol is a quick and painless treatment that is effective and safe. Many skin diseases can be confused with one another. In the case of contagious illnesses like molluscum contagiosum, confusing it with another disorder can mean other people are unnecessarily infected. By recognizing the symptoms and appearances of these common illnesses, you can ensure you receive an appropriate diagnosis and begin effective treatment right away. Most skin diseases, if treated quickly, can be healed or the symptoms managed, allowing you to get back to your normal routine. If you are unsure of some lump or rash on your skin, be sure to call your primary care doctor or a dermatologist for an appointment. They will examine the skin and potentially take a biopsy, getting you on the path to healing.

14 What are long-term effects? Recovery from one molluscum infection does not prevent future infections. Molluscum contagiosum is not like herpes viruses which can remain dormant ( sleeping ) in your body for long periods of time and then reappear. If you get new molluscum contagiosum lesions after you are cured, it means you have come in contact with an infected person or object again.

15 What are possible complications from Molluscum Contagiosum The lesions caused by molluscum are usually benign and resolve without scarring. However scratching at the lesion, or using scraping and scooping to remove the lesion, can cause scarring. For this reason, physically removing the lesion is not often recommended in otherwise healthy individuals. The most common complication is a secondary infection caused by bacteria. Secondary infections may be a significant problem in immunocompromised patients, such as those with HIV/AIDS or those taking immunosuppressing drug therapies. In these cases, treatment to prevent further spread of the infection is recommended.