Disease molluscum contagiosumor molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection that causes the growth of nodules on the skin. Nodules are usually painless, but can be itchy.
Molluscum contagiosum is a condition that is easily recognized and sometimes does not need to be treated. Nodules usually disappear within 6-12 months. However, in patients with weakened immune systems, the disease can last a long time and require intensive treatment.
Symptoms of Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum can be recognized by looking at the nodules on the skin surface. These nodules can gather in one area or spread over several parts of the body, with the following characteristics:
- Small in size, like green beans or peanuts.
- It appears on the face, neck, armpits, abdomen, genitals, and legs.
- Color like skin color, white, or pink.
- There is a small yellowish white dot in the center of the nodule.
- The number of nodules that grow is usually around 20-30, but in people with low immunity, the number can be more.
- At first hard to the touch, then soften over time.
- It doesn't hurt, but it itches.
Nodules molluscum contagiosum can become inflamed, burst, and release a yellowish white fluid when scratched. This condition can cause a bacterial infection of the skin.
When to go to the doctor
Molluscum contagiosum often goes away on its own within 6-12 months, especially in people who don't have a compromised immune system. On the other hand, in people with weak immune systems, such as people with HIV/AIDS, molluscum contagiosum can last a long time and must be treated intensively.
If you have nodules that grow in large numbers, or if they become inflamed and burst, see your doctor right away. If left untreated, there is a risk of additional bacterial infections.
Causes of Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a virus Molluscum contagiosum. A person can catch the virus Molluscum contagiosum when in direct contact with the patient's skin.
Transmission can also occur when someone touches or uses objects used by sufferers, such as clothes or towels. Molluscum contagiosum can also be transmitted through sex.
This virus can also infect other areas of the body, when a person scratches a pimple and then touches another part of the body. As a result, a new nodule will appear on the part of the body that was touched earlier.
risk factors molluscum contagiosum
In many cases, molluscum contagiosum attacks people with weak immune systems, such as people with HIV/AIDS, people undergoing organ transplants, or patients undergoing cancer treatment. This disease is also more prone to occur in the following groups:
- Children aged 1-10 years.
- People who live in the tropics.
- Patients with atopic dermatitis.
- Athletes in sports that involve body contact, such as football and wrestling.
Diagnosis of Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is easily recognized without the need for further examination. Just by looking at the form of nodules that grow on the skin, doctors can usually diagnose this disease.
However, if it is suspected that the nodule is not molluscum contagiosum, the doctor will perform a biopsy, which is taking the skin tissue where the nodule grows for examination using a microscope.
Molluscum Contagiosum Treatment
Molluscum contagiosum will heal by itself without treatment in 6-12 months, especially if the patient has a good immune system. In some cases, the disease can last for more than 5 years. However, people who have had molluscum contagiosum will not be infected again.
Doctors generally do not recommend treatment in patients who are still children, because the nodules tend to go away on their own. In addition, treatment can be painful for the child and cause damage and scarring around the nodule area.
In adult patients, there are several methods dermatologists can use to treat molluscum contagiosum, including:
- Smear the nodules with trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, or tretinoin, either in the form of cream or ointment.
- Curette or scraping, namely scraping the nodule using a special medical tool.
- Laser light therapy, which burns the nodules using a laser beam.
- Diathermy, namely destroying the nodule using heat energy, by first being given a local anesthetic.
- Cryotherapy, which freezes the nodule using liquid nitrogen.
In patients who have large or large nodules, the doctor will repeat the above procedure every 3 or 6 weeks until the nodules are gone.
During treatment, new nodules may still appear, but they usually disappear completely within 2-4 months after treatment. Keep in mind, sufferers can still transmit this disease to others until the nodule is completely gone.
Complications of Molluscum Contagiosum
Although relatively mild and can heal on its own, molluscum contagiosum can trigger the following complications:
- Conjunctivitis (infection or inflammation of the membrane lining the eye) and keratitis (corneal infection). This complication occurs when a nodule molluscum contagiosum grows on the eyelid.
- The growth of scar tissue or scars on the skin affected by molluscum contagiosum.
- The skin around the nodule is red and inflamed from a bacterial infection.
Prevention of Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum can spread to other areas of the body and to other people. Therefore, it is important to know how to prevent transmission, namely by:
- Avoid touching, scratching, or picking at the nodule.
- Wash your hands regularly, especially if you accidentally touch a pimple.
- Always cover the nodule with clothing, or with a bandage if necessary.
- Do not share the use of personal items, such as clothes, towels and combs.
- Avoid having sex, especially if there are nodules that grow on the genitals or the surrounding area.