MOLLUSCUM
Molluscum Contagiosum is a skin condition triggered by a poxvirus that affects the skin. This virus infiltrates the skin through minor breaches in its protective layer and replicates, causing small pink or flesh-colored dome-shaped growths with an identifiable white core.
As implied by its name, molluscum is contagious and is spread through direct skin-to-skin contact. Lesions are commonly found on areas of the body that touch each other such as folds in the groin or in the arm. Additionally, they can be found in clusters on the abdomen, chest, buttocks, face and eyelids.
Children, due to their comparatively less developed immune systems, are especially vulnerable to molluscum. Although molluscum will eventually resolve on its own, dermatologists recommend treatment to prevent the virus from spreading to other areas of the body or to other people.
Treatments For Molluscum:
Cryosurgery is a common method employed by dermatologists to address various skin issues. It involves applying liquid nitrogen to the skin area, causing it to freeze. Different levels of freezing lead to peeling with light freezing, blistering with moderate freezing, and scabbing with hard freezing.
The primary applications of cryosurgery include treating warts, seborrheic keratoses, and actinic keratoses. Additionally, it is used for small benign growths and certain types of skin cancers.
Dermatologists can prescribe several topical creams that can treat molluscum. Some destroy the virus directly, while others stimulate the body’s own immune system to clear the infection.