Molluscum contagiosum treatment

Treatment techniques for the molluscum contagiosum virus



Molluscum Contagiosum is a viral infection that affects the skin and mucous membranes. Due to the fact this virus is a member of the pox family, it is very contagious. Molluscum “sheds” viral particles frequently, and that's why it is an incredibly infectious virus.



Molluscum spreads due to skin-to-skin contact and is common in both children and adults. Young children tend to end up with Molluscum on their arms and torso (resulting from exposure to infected individuals at school, athletics, etc). Grown ups tend to pick up molluscum on, around or near their genitalia due to sexual activity. Viral particles are also capable of surviving outside the body for long periods of time on towels, sheets and clothing.



Thankfully, there are a number of methods to deal with Molluscum Contagiosum. There are three types of treatment methods for dealing with molluscum: over the counter, natural/homeopathic and prescription. Each treatment possesses its own positives and negatives which the patient must evaluate.



Over the counter treatments consist of salicylic acid, tretinoin cream and dermisil. These solutions usually eliminate the top layer of skin. This helps clear viral particles and remove the waxy inner core. Other Non-prescription treatments include ZymaDerm and Conzerol, which are proprietary creams. Liquid nitrogen freezing kits, typically employed to remove warts, are also effective.



The second group of treatments are the natural and homeopathic treatments. These substances are normally found in the grocery store and are very mild. They are particularly ideal for treating children, who may not like the more intense remedies. Some of these natural options include apple cider vinegar, thuja, tumeric and garlic. It is actually debatable to what extent these treatments actually help cure molluscum contagiosum.



The final group are the prescribed treatments. These must be prescribed as well as administered by a doctor. Simply because they are prescription, they are often intense and potent - which is precisely what you want when you are treating a virus! Imiquimod is a medicine that improves individuals' immune response and helps one's body to naturally combat the virus. Cantharidin is yet another prescription cream used by doctors. It causes heavy blistering at the site of application so it helps to quickly destroy viral particles and infected cells.



As you can see, for people with molluscum contagiosum there are a number of alternatives available for. The virus is irritating, and frequently downright frustrating, but there is hope! Try one of the methods listed above and see whether it helps your infection. Many medical doctors recommend combination treatment programs where multiple remedies are employed at the same time. Good luck!