Molluscum contagiosum is a disease of the skin. This pathology is characterized by a viral infectious nature. During the development of this disease, various rashes appear on the skin of people, looking in the form of small nodules. These nodules are flesh-colored or pink, and there is a small indentation directly in the center of the pimple. This virus is very contagious, it spreads quite quickly.
A disease such as molluscum contagiosum (pictured) is transmitted after direct contact with an infected person. This can also happen due to the sharing of common hygiene items. In addition to personal hygiene, infection is possible as a result of promiscuous sexual activity. It should be noted that in middle-aged and older patients, this virus, as a rule, enters the body precisely as a result of sexual intercourse. We will talk about what causes this disease, as well as about its treatment.
Pathogenesis of the disease
Molluscum contagiosum is a benign neoplasm of the skin. The direct synthesis of the deoxyribonucleic acid of the virus is carried out within the keratinocytes of the epidermis. After the virus multiplies in human cells, the activity of t-lymphocytes is blocked, and therefore there are no immune cells against the background of the lesion, which determines the immune tolerance favorable to the pathogen during infection.
Causes of infection
What is the reason for the appearance of molluscum contagiosum, and what is it? The causative agent of this disease is the DNA-containing virus, which is related to the same category as smallpox. This virus can multiply in the cytoplasm of cells that are affected by it. The carrier of the presented virus is exclusively human. The pathogen is transmitted only by direct contact, for example:
- Using the contact method. This pathogen is extremely contagious, it can only affect the human body. He is able to stay in a dormant state for a long time among ordinary dust. As a rule, infection is carried out through a person who is sick with this virus, for example, while swimming in pools, using common clothes or bedding, and, in addition, against the background of the use of general hygiene products.
- Sexual transmission. Against the background of infection through sexual contact, the molluscum contagiosum (pictured) in women and men usually only affects the genital area.
It should be emphasized that the current state of medicine still does not allow to completely get rid of this virus. The human body also does not produce immunity to this disease for unknown reasons. The main causes of relapse of this pathology is a general decrease in immunity. It is as a result of a decrease in immunity that the virus often activates.
In children
Children are especially susceptible to this unpleasant disease. The main reason for the spread of infection among this category is household contact with an infected child.
This usually happens in public places, for example:
- in kindergarten;
- school;
- sports sections;
- pool.
Children with weakened immunity after illness fall into the risk zone.
Symptoms of infection
This disease usually makes itself felt two weeks after infection. It is after this that a person develops the first symptoms of a molluscum contagiosum. In rare situations, the incubation period may be delayed and then the first signs appear after a few months.
In the case of the appearance of a molluscum contagiosum (photo is presented), the main symptom will be the formation of raised nodules on the skin, which will have a hemispherical shape. The color of such formations usually coincides with the skin tone. In the middle of the nodules there is a slight impression. The size of one tumor may vary. It is worth noting that usually from small rashes they can turn into large nodules, with a diameter of up to one and a half centimeters. Against the background of an uncomplicated course, the disease develops from one to twenty nodules. As a rule, they do not bother a person and do not hurt at all. But in the case of mechanical damage, they can swell, redden or begin to itch, and, in addition, become inflamed, especially against the background of an infection.
Where does molluscum contagiosum most often occur in men?
The rash area depends on how the infection occurred. The virus mainly affects the skin in the neck. The eyelids, forehead, chest, and back of the hand may also be affected. Often, the disease affects the mucous membrane and skin around the genitals and perineum along with the inside of the thighs. It is extremely rare that this disease affects the soles of the palms of the hands.
How to treat molluscum contagiosum, consider below.
Complications on the background of pathology
In most examples, this disease is characterized by a favorable course, but possible complications cannot be completely excluded:
- The appearance of multiple rashes with the presence of large elements, the diameter of which is capable of reaching several centimeters at once. A similar complication against the background of an infectious mollusk is characteristic of individuals with reduced immune status, for example, for HIV patients.
- Attached infection, which is bacterial in nature. In this case, the development of dermatitis, which is an inflammatory process, is possible. After curing dermatitis, ugly scars usually remain on the skin.
It should be borne in mind that the appearance of the disease in adults can indicate the presence of problems in the immune system, this also indicates the presence of latent infections. Therefore, a thorough examination is necessary to identify pathologies that caused the molluscum contagiosum.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of such a disease, as a rule, is carried out by a dermatologist as part of a general examination. Those or other rashes with this disease differ in a characteristic form, in this regard, additional diagnostic methods are no longer required.
Against the background of self-diagnosis, which is carried out at home, quite often there is confusion with the symptoms of chickenpox. Also, molluscum contagiosum in adults can be confused with varieties of syphilis or genital warts. In this regard, a mandatory consultation with a specialist is necessary.
Treatment
In many situations, removal of the neoplasm is not required, since it disappears on its own by itself, without any treatment. The life span of one papule is usually about two or a maximum of three months. However, in more severe cases, such a disease can last up to four years. The disease is delayed due to the fact that there is a constant process of self-infection, against the background of which neoplasms are formed even before the old nodules disappear.
Until the rash completely disappears, it is recommended not to go to saunas, and, in addition, not to go to the pool and gym, you should also not resort to the services of a masseur. In everyday life, it is always necessary to clearly distinguish between personal and social things. Immediately after sexual intercourse, you must take a shower, and you must also inform your partner about your disease.
For adults, a variety of cauterization techniques are used as the main treatment for molluscum contagiosum. To do this, for example, chemical cauterization using iodine, hydrogen peroxide, celandine or acid. Thermal cauterization is performed using a laser, diathermocoagulation, cryotherapy, and so on. The selection of a particular method in a particular case directly depends on the localization of the pathogen, and, in addition, on the abundance of rashes and the possibility of relapse of the disease.
If there are an excessive number of nodules in generalized forms of the disease, antibiotics from the tetracycline group, for example, Tetracycline, along with Oletetrin, Metacyclin, Doxycycline and Chlortetracycline should be prescribed. Throughout the entire period of treatment of molluscum contagiosum in women and men, medical supervision by specialists such as a dermatologist and venereologist is necessary.
General principles for the treatment of the disease
Currently, such a disease, if its nodules are not localized on the eyelid or in the genital area, is recommended not to be treated at all, since after a maximum of eighteen months the immune system must independently suppress the activity of this virus. Usually, after a specified period, any formations resulting from infection with this virus will disappear on their own and will not leave any marks on the skin. Thus, the appearance of scars or scars after the transfer of this pathology can not be feared. The fact is that people can develop a certain immunity to the mollusk virus over time. But this happens extremely slowly, in connection with which the body does not need a week to recover from infection, as in the case of the common cold, but several months, or even a whole period of up to five years.
And in the event that removing the nodules of the molluscum contagiosum before they disappear on their own, this can leave unattractive scars on the skin, and in addition, increase the risk of their re-occurrence, and in large quantities, since the virus in the body will still be active. And directly immunity to it will be only at the stage of its formation. Therefore, when you consider that self-healing in people occurs gradually, and this is only a matter of time, many doctors recommend not treating molluscum contagiosum by removing nodules. All you need to do is wait a bit until they disappear on their own.
The only indication when it is still necessary to remove the nodules of the mollusk is their localization on the eyelids or on the genitals. It is also advisable to remove nodules with severe discomfort against the background of their presence. In other situations, it is better to leave such nodules and wait for their independent disappearance, which should occur after the suppression of viral activity by the immune system.
However, in the event that a person still wants to remove the nodules, then doctors are engaged in the implementation of this task. Moreover, as a rule, the reason for such a desire is, first of all, aesthetic considerations. To remove clam nodules, the Ministry of Health approved the use of the following surgical procedures:
- Conducting curettage. This procedure for removing molluscum contagiosum is carried out by scraping the nodules using a curette or Volkman's spoon.
- Performing cryodestruction. As part of this procedure, the destruction of nodules with liquid nitrogen is achieved.
- Hatching. During this operation, the core of the nodule is removed with thin tweezers.
- Carrying out laser destruction. During this procedure, the nodules are destroyed by a CO2 laser.
- Performing electrocoagulation. During this molluscum contagiosum removal operation, nodule destruction is achieved through the use of electric current. This procedure is also called cauterization.
In practice, in addition to these methods, which are officially approved by the Ministry of Health, other methods are used to remove mollusk nodules. Such methods are to exert an effect on the mollusk nodules with chemical components that are contained in ointments or solutions. Such agents can destroy the structure of viral formation. For example, at present, in order to remove nodules, ointments with solutions are used that contain chemicals such as tretinoin along with cantharidin, trichloroacetic and salicylic acid, imiquimod, podophyllotoxin, chlorophyllipt, fluorouracil, oxolin, benzoyl peroxide, and, in addition, interferon alpha.
Such chemical methods of removing the mollusk cannot be called folk methods, since they involve the use of drugs. Because of this, they are considered unofficial therapies that have been tested by practice but have not been approved by the healthcare system. It should be noted that according to the reviews of doctors and their patients, these methods are quite effective and not as traumatic as surgical ways to remove clam nodules.
Treatment of molluscum contagiosum with traditional medicine is also carried out.
The use of folk remedies
How can this disease be cured at home? In order to dry the skin, which will contribute to the speedy disappearance of the pathological focus formed by the mollusk, it is recommended to use several of the following options to choose from:
- The use of tinctures of a string or bird cherry.
- Preparation of pulp from freshly ground leaves of bird cherry to perform a compress.
- Using a potassium permanganate solution to wipe the affected area.
- The use of tincture of celandine. In this case, a tincture based on alcohol or water is suitable.
- Use of garlic juice. This method is often used as a home method of cauterization.
But it should be emphasized that the treatment of molluscum contagiosum (the photo can also be found on the network) without a diagnosis at home can be dangerous, so there are certain risk factors:
- There is a danger of missing out on the development of a serious skin disease. For example, the development of malignant or benign neoplasms on the skin.
- Some forms of pathology can occur in patients with AIDS. In this regard, in such cases, special forms of treatment of molluscum contagiosum are required. At home, you can only do harm.
Thus, it is possible to use exclusively folk remedies as part of therapy only after consulting a dermatologist who can make an accurate diagnosis.
For children
Therapy of infection in children involves the use of medications and folk remedies. In some cases, removal of papules will be required. Most often, laser therapy is prescribed, which is absolutely harmless to the baby. After this procedure, you can not bathe the child for three days. The recovery period requires the implementation of the adjustment of immunity.
Disease prognosis
Treatment of molluscum contagiosum in adults can be successful, but only with the spontaneous disappearance of the external manifestation. It must be said that the virus cannot go to the inactive stage, it can also be reactivated against a background of reduced immunity. Combined therapy will help get rid of the disease, but will not be able to prevent re-infection, since, as already noted, immunity is not produced during the development of this infection.
After the competent removal of viral nodules or their spontaneous regression, the skin is quickly cleansed. In that case, if the deep layers of the dermis were not damaged, then scars will not appear. But against the background of the development of molluscum contagiosum with atopic dermatitis, eczema or with a number of other dermatological diseases, healing will most likely occur with scarring.
Pathology Prevention
Prevention of this disease is usually as follows:
- It is necessary to be selective in the choice of sexual partners.
- The disease should be detected in its early stages of development.
- Timely treatment of patients and their partners is necessary.
- Hygiene rules must be fully observed. This recommendation requires a daily shower with a regular change of underwear. Bed linen should be changed every week.
- A thorough and regular examination of the skin at home in front of the mirror is required.
Molluscum contagiosum - reviews
Reviews about this pathology are contradictory. It is an infectious dermatosis that is caused by a virus from the family of smallpox pathogens. Pathology is manifested by the formation of small nodules on the skin that have an umbilical depression in the center. This disease affects only people who are its carrier.
According to reviews, the disease is very widespread among adults, since it is transmitted mainly through sexual contact. , , , . , .
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