Localized clusters of umbilicated papules are the hallmark of the viral skin infection Molluscum contagiosum, which is common in young children.
Adolescents and adults are less likely to contract Molluscum contagiosum, which primarily affects infants and young children under the age of 10 and is more common in warm than cool climates and in crowded environments.
Molluscum contagiosum can be very extensive and troublesome in patients with HIV infection or that have other reasons for poor immune function. It tends to be more numerous and lasts longer in children who also have atopic dermatitis due to deficiencies in the skin barrier.
When atopic dermatitis or HIV/AIDS are present, molluscum contagiosum is more widespread and larger in size in children and can be found in various locations on adults’ genitalia and in children.
Etiology
The virus that causes molluscum contagiosum is a form of the pox virus.
The virus can propagate in a number of ways:
· Direct skin-skin contact
Passing along towels or other items as a form of indirect contact
Shaving or scratching can cause auto-inoculation at a different site.
· Sexual transmission in adults
The incubation period, which is typically about 2 weeks but can be as long as 6 months, appears to be more likely in moist environments, such as when children bathe or swim together.
Clinical features
On extirpation, a “cheesy” core can be seen in pearly white, dome-shaped, 1–5 mm umbilicated papules that are frequently arranged in groups or linearly.
Papules can appear in small numbers or in large numbers on a single person, and they typically appear in warm, moist areas like the armpit, behind the knees, groin, or genital regions. They can also appear on the lips or very rarely inside the mouth, but they don’t appear on the palms or soles.
The papules frequently line up when molluscum contagiosum is auto-inoculated by scratching.
Usually within 6 to 9 months, spontaneous remission takes place.
Complications
Individual lesions can develop secondary inflammation and resemble furuncles. Complications include eczema, secondary infection, and meibomianitis.
Diagnosis
White molluscum bodies can occasionally be seen coming from the center of the papules, which helps to diagnose molluscum contagiosum on dermatoscopy or by its distinctive clinical appearance.
Management
General measures
· Keep hands clean
· Avoid scratching or shaving
Dress up or use watertight bandages to cover any visible lesions.
· Dispose of used bandages
Don’t share personal items like towels, clothing, or anything else.
Adults must abstain from sex or engage in safe sexual behavior.
HOMOEOPATHY MEDICINES
When it comes to Molluscum contagiosum, there are many effective medicines available in homoeopathy, but the selection depends on the patient’s individuality, taking the patient’s mental and physical health into consideration. Homoeopathy is a growing system that is practiced all over the world. Its strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual by promoting inner balance at mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical levels.
CAUSTICUM
A specific treatment. Itching. Warts that are seedy, jagged, and easily bleed on the tips of fingers and the nose. Pain in the skin’s folds. Dirty, white, and sallow skin. Children who walk slowly.
NITRIC ACID
Another specific treatment: sensitive skin, splinter-like pains, large, jagged warts that bleed when washed, and black pores on the face.
CALCAREA CARBONICA
Children who are overweight, fair, and flabby often have molluscum contagiosum, which is characterized by flaccid, easily ulcerating skin, swollen glands, frequent relapses, and interrupted recovery. These children also frequently get colds and are sensitive to cold air.
DULCAMARA
Pruritis, large, smooth, fleshy, flat warts, thick crusts all over the body, small furuncles on sore spots, and scaly, thick, crusty, moist, bleeding eruptions are some of the symptoms.
BROMIUM
Boils on the arms and face. Acne, boils, and pustules. Worse in the evening until midnight while seated in a warm room.
KALI IODIDE
Purple spots, which are worse on the legs, acne, small boils, and a propensity for oedematous swellings of the eyelids, mouth, uvula, etc.
LYCOPODIUM CLAVATUM
Skin that is thick and indurated, violent itching, offensive secretions, worse warmth, a preference for hot food and beverages, a sweet tooth, and an upset stomach.
NATRUM MURIATICUM
Emaciation, particularly in the neck, dry eruptions on the hair’s margins, old scars that are still red, and an unhealthy skin condition that makes you crave salt and salty foods.
RANUNCULUS BULBOSUS
Burning and severe itching, worsening contact, hard excrescences, itching in the palms, and a blister-like eruption in the palms are all symptoms of vesicular and pustular eruption.
SILICEA
Rose-colored blotches, umbilicated eruptions, and painful scars are some of the symptoms. Other symptoms include rachitic children with large heads, open fontanelles, and sutures, a distended abdomen, and offensive sweat on the feet, hands, and axillae. Eruptions only itch during the day and at night.
SULPHUR
Indicated in all types of skin eruptions, including vesicular and pustular ones, particularly in cases where the skin eruptions have been treated with medicated soaps and washes and suppressed with ointment and topical medications.
THUJA OCCIDENTALIS
Wart-like eruptions on the anogenital region. Left-sided affection. Eruptions on covered body parts that get worse after scratching. Chilly patient. Sweet-smelling, strong perspiration. Fixed ideas.
Comments are closed.