Molluscum contagiosum treatment

Treatment approaches for the molluscum contagiosum virus



One of the most well-known viral infections which affect the mucous membrane and the skin is Molluscum Contagiosum. Given that this virus is a member of the pox family, it is extremely transmittable. Molluscum “sheds” viral particles frequently, and that's why it is an extremely infectious virus.



Molluscum spreads due to skin-to-skin contact and frequently occurs in both children and adults. Young children tend to end up with Molluscum on their arms and torso (resulting from contact with infected individuals at school, sporting activities, etc). Adults tend to get molluscum on, around or in close proximity to their genitalia due to intercourse. Viral particles are also effective at surviving outside the body for long amounts of time on towels, sheets and clothing.



Happily, there are a number of ways to treat Molluscum Contagiosum. There are three categories of treatment methods for handling molluscum: over the counter, natural/homeopathic and prescription. Each treatment has its own benefits and drawbacks which the patient should think about.



Over the counter treatments include salicylic acid, tretinoin cream and dermisil. These solutions normally remove 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 Over the counter treatments include ZymaDerm and Conzerol, which are proprietary creams. Liquid nitrogen freezing kits, typically employed to remove warts, are also effective.



The second class of treatments are the natural and homeopathic remedies. These natural compounds are generally found in the supermarket and are very mild. They are particularly helpful for managing children, who may not like the more aggressive remedies. Some of these organic options include apple cider vinegar, thuja, tumeric and garlic. It is debatable to what extent these types of remedies actually help cure molluscum contagiosum.



The final group are the prescription treatments. These must be prescribed and administered by a doctor. Because they are prescription, they may be intense and potent - which is just what you want when you are treating a virus! Imiquimod is a medicine that boosts individuals' immune response and helps your body to naturally fight off the virus. Cantharidin is yet another prescription cream utilized by doctors. It causes significant blistering at the site of application and helps to quickly destroy viral particles and infected cells.



As you can see, if you have molluscum contagiosum there are lots of treatments available for. The virus is irritating, and often utterly annoying, but there is hope! Try one of the methods listed above and see if it eases your infection. Many physicians recommend combination treatment strategies where multiple remedies are utilized at the same time. Good luck!

Published September 2nd, 2011

Tags: Molluscum, contagiosum, treatment