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Infectious molluscum - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

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Infectious molluscum - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

PantherMedia

Doctor before surgery

Molluscum contagiosum is an infectious disease caused by a virus belonging to the Poxviriadea group (direct infectious agent). Two types of this virus are currently known: MCV-1 (much more common in patients) and MCV-2 (very sporadic).

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Symptoms and course molluscum contagious

The disease is most common in children although it is also found in adults and even the elderly. Its development is favoured by atopic dermatitis, reduced immunity or illness. The virus can be contracted anywhere, although it is commonly found in swimming pools, sports halls, gyms and massage parlours. We become infected through direct contact with a sick person or through contact with toys, teddy bears, towels, shoes or clothes. It is a harmless but annoying disease. For adult patients, there is the possibility of sexual transmission (this applies to people with more than one sexual partner). How is molluscum contagiosum diagnosed? How do we treat infectious molluscum? Is it possible to avoid contracting the molluscicide causing infectious molluscum?

Treatment molluscum contagious

If you notice any worrying lump-like, whitish lesions on your body, either singly or in clusters, you should visit a dermatologist. They are most often located on the eyelids, chest, but also on the genitals, e.g. labia in women. The specialist will carefully examine the lesion, interview the patient and order the appropriate tests to make a diagnosis. Most often, the lesion does not cause much of a problem. In some cases, however, it is necessary to pierce the lump to check what secretion is coming out of it. A clear diagnosis is usually made on this basis. In extreme cases, a histopathological examination is necessary.

Untreated skin lesions resolve spontaneously in most cases. Unfortunately, this process takes up to several months. Many patients do not seek treatment, but bear in mind that by doing so, they infect others. It is therefore important to seek appropriate treatment under the supervision of a dermatologist as soon as possible. If there are a small number of nodules on the skin, the contents should be squeezed out and washed thoroughly with tincture of iodine or potassium hydroxide. If there are a large number of nodules, lasers or electrocoagulation are used. For lesions covering large areas of skin, cryotherapy is used. To avoid infection with the molluscum contagiosum virus, contact with an infected person should be avoided and particular attention should be paid to personal hygiene.