Common Molluscum Contagiosum Treatments

Molluscum contagiosum is a self-limited disease, which, left untreated, will eventually resolve in immunocompetent hosts but may be protracted in atopic and immunocompromised individuals. Some patients pick and scratch at the lesions, a habit that may lead to scarring. In addition, some schools and daycare centers will not admit children with visible molluscum papules.

When patients seek medical attention and desire to rid themselves of the papules, there are several means of therapeutic destruction to help speed resolution. The decision whether treatment is necessary depends on the needs of the patient, the recalcitrance of their disease, and the likelihood of treatments to leave pigmentary alteration or scarring.

Most of the common treatments consist of various means to traumatize the lesions. Antiviral and immune-modulating treatments have recently been added to the options. One of the most common, quick, efficient methods of treatment is cryotherapy. Liquid nitrogen or dry ice are applied to each individual lesion for a few seconds. Repeat treatments may be required. Pigmentation and scarring may be caused by this treatment.

An easy method to remove the lesions is eviscerating the core with an instrument such as a scalpel, sharp tooth pick, edge of a glass slide, or any other instrument capable of removing the umbilicated core. Because of its simplicity, patients, parents, and caregivers may be taught this method so new lesions can be treated at home. This method is simple but may not be tolerated by small children.

Curettage is another method of removal. It can be used with and without light electrodessication. This method is more painful, and it is recommended that a topical anesthetic cream be applied to the lesions before the procedure to decrease the pain. This method has the advantage of providing a reliable tissue sample to confirm the diagnosis.

Another reported treatment involves the use of adhesive tape. The adhesive side of the tape is repeatedly applied to and removed from the lesion for 10-20 cycles. This action effectively removes the superficial epidermis from the top of the lesion. However, repeated use of the same strip has the potential to spread the virus to adjacent, uninvolved skin.

A 25% suspension in a tincture of benzoin or alcohol may be applied once a week. It contains two mutagens, quercetin and kaempferol. Some of the listed side effects include severe erosive damage in adjacent normal skin that may cause scarring and systemic effects such as peripheral neuropathy, renal damage, adynamic illeus, leucopenia, and thrombocytopenia, especially if used generously on mucosal surfaces.

Podophyllin requires some precautions while podofilox is a safer alternative to podophyllin and may be used by the patient at home. The recommended use usually consists of application of 0.05 ml of 5% podofilox in lactate buffered ethanol twice a day for 3 days. The active agent is absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy.

Cantharidin has been used with success in the treatment of MCV. This blister-inducing agent is applied carefully and sparingly to the dome of the lesion with or without occlusion and left in place for at least 4 hours before being washed off. When tolerated, this treatment is repeated every week until the lesions clear. Cantharidin can cause severe blistering.

In conclusion, synthetic substances are alien to our system. On the contrary, natural substances make a better molluscum contagiosum cure than synthetic drugs because our bodies are designed to absorb and benefit from naturally occurring plant molecules. A cure for molluscum contagiosum made from plant extract compounds represent molecules of life itself, which are in perfect biochemical harmony with the human system.

As a potent yet safe anti-viral agent to eradicate molluscum infections, AntiMolluscum-Rx has produced spectacular results to eliminate molluscum, regardless of location on the body. Application literally dissolves molluscum day after day, without damaging healthy tissue, total clearance is often experienced within a week when applied 3 times per day.

AntiMolluscum-Rx has excellent antiviral activity against hulled viruses as it causes their cellular death upon exposure. The antiviral properties of this treatment for molluscum have a tremendous therapeutic impact to eradicate viral pathogens, especially those infecting the skin. As a result, AntiMolluscum-Rx provides a profound healing effect against MCV.

The mode of action of AntiMolluscum-Rx as a molluscum treatment is particularly interesting for its ability to stop the cell-to-cell virus proliferation. This not only eradicates the existing infection but also helps prevent autoinoculation. To learn more, please go to http://www.naturespharma.org.