Molluscum Contagiosum-Part-II

DIAGNOSIS OF MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM
Consult a doctor if one feels one has molluscum contagiosum virus. A physical examination of the person or the child is carried as it is easy to recognize the infection. It can be further confirmed by taking sample from one of the mollusca of the fluid in its centre to test for MCV, however if any spot is different from the rest, a skin biopsy may be done where it is removed from the skin for further testing. If the genitals are infected with molluscum contagiosum, the case may be referred to GUM (genito-urinary medicine) and other test may also be carried for STI’s (Sexually transmitted infections)
Generally reference to a specialist is not required, however in some case it may be referred which include
If the eyes or eyelid has mollusca and the eyes are red
Severe mollusca in HIV positive cases
Immune system is damaged or not working properly
MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM ‘S TREATMENT
Molluscum contagiosum can heal and get cleared without treatment, however it takes very long time and clears within 18 months, but can also extend up to 5 years to clear in persons with weakened immune system.
To help that the recovery process is speeded up there are a number of treatments, however in children particularly they are not recommended as it may be painful and may cause scarring whereas in normal course the infection will go on its own without leaving any scars and besides that there is appearance of the spots, it does not cause any other symptom. However if one wants to speed up the treatment, squeezing the mollusca to remove the pus containing MCV is the most simple and first treatment. This can be done by the doctor who will do it with a pair of tweezers or forceps alternatively one can do it at home, but one should be careful and wash the hands thoroughly before and after the squeeze and wear disposal gloves. Also make sure that the contents squeezed out are disposed off carefully. If a pair of tweezers is used then make sure to sterilize before and after use by boiling or using antiseptic solution.
It is very painful, but once they are squeezed, they will heal in 1 to 4 weeks time. There are other treatments also, but they should be taken from a health care professional and not carried at home and are also not suitable for children.
TREATMENT BY CRYOTHERAPY
In cryotherapy the mollusca is frozen with liquid nitrogen for 5 to 10 seconds as a result ice layer is formed over and around the spot on the skin which will help in removing them. This treatment will have to be taken in several sessions with a gap of two to three weeks in each session.
TREATMENT BY DIATHERMY
In Diathermy mollusca is removed using heat treatment under local anesthesia where the area under treatment is made numb and the mollusca is burned by giving heat through the electrical devices.
TREATMENT BY CURETTAGE
Curette which is a thin metal instrument is used for scraping off the mollusca and removing it. This treatment is also performed under local anesthesia and the skin is made numb before the treatment.
TREATMENT BY CHEMICAL
A sharp metal instrument is dipped into a chemical which is generally phenol or podophyllin and it is pricked into each of the mollusca to burn it. Each mollusca then bursts and the contents are emptied out. This treatment is very discomfortable and is likely to leave scars.