Health for kids

Molluscum contagiosum:

It is a viral infection that causes the appearance of small whitish or translucent skin-coloured pimples, it is an infection that is common in children and is benign to health but can also be caught in adults.

The symptoms of this Molluscum contagiosum :

We will have an appearance of a small button or a bump skin colour; by scratching, we will disseminate the virus and then see other buttons appearing.

These buttons are formed in line or in a group, they are of flesh colour they have an aspect a little pearly.

We will find these pimples, especially on the upper body, arms, shoulders, chest and back, face and neck, even if globally we can find them everywhere.

In adults, the transmission is especially sexual so we will find it on the lower abdomen, inner thighs and genitals.

 It is sometimes confused with :

• Warts: Warts are found mainly on the hands and the foot arch. There may also be a small black tip on warts, which is not the case with Molluscum.

• Some parents can also confuse it with chickenpox, where the pimples are really red. In addition, chickenpox lasts only a few days or even one or two weeks, whereas Molluscum can last several months.

The transmission of the virus is done by contact with a contaminated object it can be a toy of a child, a towel or a piece of clothing.

For adults, it is mainly transmitted sexually.

Treatments are available for children and adults.

The virus will eventually go away by itself but it can take several months and sometimes years, so you can treat either at the dermatologists for a Molluscum that is spread out and has been there for a very long time or a Molluscum that is located on the neck or face because there is a risk of scars.

Dermatologists will propose one of the 3 techniques:

– cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen freezing)
– curettage (cutting out the lesions)
– laser therapy to eliminate the lesions

If the Molluscum is mild you can treat it in a pharmacy, the pharmacists will propose small solutions (with a proportion of potassium hydroxide)

These treatments are available from the age of two, you have to be very careful when applying them, make sure you only apply it on the pimple and not on the healthy skin because it can irritate locally. you can have a burning sensation, it can also itch a little and therefore sometimes it is not well supported if you have fragile skin, be careful!

You can also use aromatherapy and essential oils only for Molluscum which are not very extensive and only if you tolerate essential oils well.

The essential oil of tea tree will allow to reduce the proliferation of the virus since it is antiviral and also attenuate the symptoms.

You can put a drop then if you really tolerate well the essential oils that you know well you can allow yourself to put locally a pure drop but it is advised to dilute with vegetable oil to avoid any irritation.

Elderberry extract, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, apple cider vinegar, and tape occlusion have also been proven effective when not already spread over large areas.

**Once again, essential oils are not recommended without medical advice for people with asthma or epilepsy, for pregnant and nursing women and for children under 2 years old.

Last small advice :

– TELL your child: do not touch your Molluscum, do not scratch even if you want to. Otherwise, you will disseminate the virus.

– Avoid cortisone cream, can stimulate the virus

– You can put on a bandage to avoid rubbing with the clothes or the other children during the close sports to avoid the transmission.