Definition
The contagious mollusc is a pathology on an infective basis that involves the skin and, sometimes, also the mucous membranes. More in detail, the pathology is caused by a virus.
The contagious mollusk can affect both adults and children.
Causes
As mentioned, the contagious mollusc is caused by an infection sustained by a DNA virus: the Molluscum contagiosum virus, also known by the simple acronym MCV.
The transmission of the virus occurs by simple contact with the skin and / or with the mucous membranes of infected individuals, and therefore also through intimate relationships. In fact, the contagious mollusc belongs to the list of sexually transmitted diseases.
The MCV can also be transmitted through the mixed use of sheets or towels of infected subjects, or by sharing the shower or bath with individuals who have contracted the virus.
Symptoms
The symptoms triggered by the contagious mollusc mainly involve the skin on which small painless papules are formed with a soft consistency.
Generally, the papules appear on the face, trunk and limbs in children, while in adults they appear mainly on pubis, penis or vulva.
Although papular lesions are painless in the majority of those affected, they may sometimes become inflamed and give rise to itching or mild pain.
Information on Molluscum Contagious - Drugs and Care is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Mollusco Contagioso - Drugs and Care.
drugs
In subjects with a functioning immune system, the contagious mollusk tends to self-purify, even if the healing period can last a long time: from a few months to a few years.
Immunocompromised patients, on the other hand, need pharmacological treatment, as their immune system is not able to counter infection by itself.
However, it is advisable to treat the disease in any case and regardless of the condition of your immune system, so as to speed up healing and to avoid contagion from other individuals.
The contagious mollusc can be treated with the same drugs used to treat warts, including salicylic acid, podophyllotoxin and tretinoin. Furthermore, imiquimod-based treatment also appears to be effective in fighting infection.
If the drug treatment is ineffective, then the doctor may decide to resort to alternative treatments such as scraping the lesion, cryotherapy, laser therapy or bleaching with specific chemical agents.
See More Photos Molluscum Contagious
Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid (Duofilm ®) is a keratolytic drug that can be used to treat various skin conditions. It is mainly used against acne, corns, calluses and warts, but it has also proved useful in the treatment of contagious molluscs. It is given as a cream for cutaneous use which must be applied directly to the lesions once a day, or according to a medical prescription.
Salicylic acid is available in pharmaceutical formulations either alone, or in association with other active ingredients, such as, for example, lactic acid.
Tretinoin
Tretinoin (Airol ®) is the name used to indicate the acid form of vitamin A. It is a drug that performs a keratolytic type of action and is used mainly for the treatment of acne vulgaris. However, tretinoin has also been shown to be effective in treating warts and contagious molluscs.
It is available as a cream or as a cutaneous solution that must be applied to the lesions 1-2 times a day, or according to the doctor's judgment.
It should be remembered that tretinoin should not be used by pregnant women, as it is teratogenic. As a precautionary measure, even breastfeeding mothers should not take the medicine.
Furthermore, exposure to sunlight and UV rays should be avoided during tretinoin therapy.
podophyllotoxin
Podophyllotoxin (Wartec ®, Condyline ®) is an antiviral drug normally used in the therapy of genital warts, but which has also proved useful in the treatment of the contagious mollusk.
It is available in pharmaceutical formulations for skin use, such as skin creams and solutions. Generally, it is recommended to apply the product directly on the affected areas twice a day.
Imiquimod
The imiquimod (Aldara ®, Imunocare) is an immunomodulatory drug normally used in the treatment of genital warts, but it seems to be effective also for the treatment of the contagious mollusc.
It is available as a skin care cream that must be applied to the lesions. Generally, it is recommended to apply the product three times a week. However, the exact dosage of imiquimod must be established by the doctor on an individual basis.
