How to treat
in children and adults
One of the most well-known viral infections which impact the mucous membrane and the skin is Molluscum Contagiosum. Due to the fact this virus is a member of the pox family, it is highly contagious. Molluscum “sheds” viral particles frequently, which is the reason it is an exceptionally infectious virus.
Molluscum spreads due to skin-to-skin contact and is typical in both children and adults. Children tend to get Molluscum on their arms and torso (on account of exposure to infected people at school, athletics, etc). Older people normally get molluscum on, around or in close proximity to their genitals due to sexual activity. Viral particles are also effective at surviving outside the body for long periods of time on towels, bedding and clothing.
Luckily, there are numerous methods to treat Molluscum Contagiosum. There are three types of treatment methods for handling molluscum: non-prescription, natural/homeopathic and prescription. Each treatment possesses its own pros and cons which the patient should consider.
Over the counter treatments include salicylic acid, tretinoin cream and dermisil. These remedies usually take away the top layer of skin. This removal of dead skin is a benefit in that it helps clear viral particles and remove the waxy inner core. Other OTC treatments include ZymaDerm and Conzerol, which are proprietary creams. Liquid nitrogen freezing kits, typically used to remove warts, are also effective.
The second category of treatments are the natural and homeopathic treatments. These compounds are normally found in the grocery store and are very mild. They are particularly useful for healing children, which may not like the more intense treatment options. Some of these organic options involve apple cider vinegar, thuja, tumeric and garlic. It is not exactly clear to what extent these types of remedies actually help cure molluscum contagiosum.
The final category are the prescription treatments. These must be prescribed as well as administered by a doctor. Simply because they need to be prescribed by a doctor before getting them, they may be aggressive and potent - which is just what you need when you are treating a virus! Imiquimod is a prescribed medication that boosts individuals' immune response and helps one's body to naturally fight off the virus. Cantharidin is another prescribed cream used by medical professionals. It causes significant blistering at the site of application so it helps to rapidly destroy viral particles and infected cells.
As you can see, for those who have molluscum contagiosum there are a selection of alternatives available for. The virus is irritating, and frequently downright annoying, but there is hope! Try one of the above listed methods and see if it helps your infection. Many doctors recommend combination treatment programs where multiple remedies are applied at the same time. Good luck!