Molluscum contagiosum in children

Molluscum contagiosum in children is a viral disease caused by a poxvirus. It often manifests as papule symptoms, which are common in children and young people. It is also called molluscum contagiosum. It is difficult to treat because it is highly contagious, and it itches and infects the surrounding skin after scratching. Therefore, contagious skin damage can sometimes be cured, but it can also disappear on its own without leaving scars.

Children usually feel itchy when they get molluscum contagiosum. The itching may last for several months and is not easy to subside. Children are more likely to get the disease. The incubation period is generally between two weeks and six months. Many of them are hard in texture at first and then gradually become soft. Here we will briefly introduce the symptoms and signs of molluscum contagiosum in children.

The incubation period is 2 to 3 weeks. Initially, it appears as a hemispherical papule ranging in size from a pinhead to a mung bean, with a waxy surface, an umbilical pit in the center, and normal skin color. It gradually increases in size to the size of a pea, and white, cheese-like molluscum bodies can be expelled by squeezing. In children, the disease is more common on the face, trunk and limbs (Figure 1). In adults, it can occur anywhere on the body. If transmitted by sex, it can be seen on the vulva, buttocks, lower abdomen and inner thighs. It can also appear on the lips, tongue, buccal mucosa, conjunctiva, etc. The numbers vary, they are scattered and do not merge with each other. The patient is pruritus, has a chronic course, is self-limiting, and may subside on its own after a few months. It is more common in children and young people, with an incubation period of 14 days to 6 months. Initially it is a hemispherical papule the size of a grain of rice, which gradually increases to the size of a pea, with a slightly concave or umbilical center and a waxy luster on the surface. The texture is tough in the early stage, but gradually becomes soft and becomes grayish white or pearly. A white, cheesy substance called molluscum bodies may be squeezed out. The number of lesions varies, from a few to dozens, appearing one after another, or a few scattered, or several clustered together without merging with each other. It can occur in any part of the body surface, especially in the trunk, limbs, scapula, scrotum and anus. It can also occur in the lips, tongue, cheek mucosa and conjunctiva. The location of the rash varies depending on the method of contact. Generally no symptoms. In a very small number of patients, the lesions are abnormally large and are called giant molluscum. Some may keratinize and resemble small skin horns, which are called keratotic molluscum. Skin lesions may occasionally disappear naturally and leave no scars after healing.

This disease is mainly treated with external application. Antiviral drugs can be used for those with multiple rashes.

1. Topical treatment mainly removes the molluscum bodies. They can be squeezed out with eyelash tweezers under sterile conditions, and then dripped with 3% to 5% iodine tincture, or 0.5% phthalamide ointment can be applied externally. Those with large numbers can be removed in batches.

2. Grasp the small bodies of molluscum in the lesion with small tweezers, squeeze them out or pick them out, then apply concentrated phenol or 33% trichloroacetic acid solution and apply pressure to stop the bleeding. If the warts are small and widespread, apply 10% iodine tincture or povidone-iodine 2 to 3 times a day.

Avoid scratching to prevent the spread of infection, pay attention to personal hygiene, do not share bath towels, and disinfect underwear with boiling water

These are the symptoms and signs of molluscum contagiosum. Molluscum contagiosum initially appears as a small rash that slowly grows larger and usually becomes white, cheese-like in appearance. It usually occurs on the face, trunk and limbs in children, and in various parts of the body in adults. So it is a contagious disease. Antiviral drugs are often used for treatment, and topical medications are mainly used in a sterile environment. Other things to note are the occurrence of molluscum contagiosum. Be sure to avoid scratching and pay attention to personal hygiene.