molluscum contagiosum

[mayceesdad]

I have a 4 year old girl who was diagnosed with molluscum contagiosum and the doctor said the treatment was antibiotics and to pop the lesions on my childs skin. I later took her to another doctor who said absolutely do not pop them as this contributes to the spread of the virus on the skin. can anyone give me some input on what is correct and what is not? I want these things off my little girl as soon as possible. Thanks.

[caladybird]

My daughter started having signs of this last year and it took a while to figure out, I searched for pics and went to the dermatologist and they said it will go away but offered to freeze them and we passed on that. I searched more online and noticed multiple people saying that the beach helped and had some dead sea salt at home from when I used to make soaps so I threw it in her bath every day and it seemed to help calm her skin around the ones she itched and reduce the size of the bumps...
It is the most natural way I could help her skin so you could try it... creams and band aids seemed to make it worse so I just put that white medical tape on them when we need to cover them at bedtime or when she has one that is exposed but clothes covered them most of the time.
I suspect any sea salt or maybe epsom salt may suffice if you don't have the dead sea salt, it's the only one that I tried so can't compare... I threw in about an oz. or so with a lukewarm bath... hot water seemed to irritate it too so we stuck with warm water and if really irritated did a warm shower to keep the water to a minimum... hope it helps, it's a long bummer of a process to see your child go through but reminds me how much stronger children can be than us adults :)

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Molluscum contagiosum is a common, benign, self limiting viral infection of the skin. It generally affects children and typically occurs in the 2-5 age group. Treatment includes physical destruction or manual extrusion of the lesions, cryotherapy and curettage.

Please get an evaluation done from a dermatologist before going in for any such treatments.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.