How to Cure Molluscum
Molluscum contagiosum (or molluscum) is a virus that produces symptoms on the skin and often spreads among children. Any type of contact with a carrier or contaminated object can cause a person to catch molluscum. Symptoms include a rash with slightly raised red bumps, most likely appearing on the face, neck, arms and hands. Several options are available to cure molluscum if you or your child suffer from this condition.
Instructions
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Wait it out. You can choose to not have any type of medical intervention, as the molluscum virus typically goes away on its own after anywhere from six to 12 months. Check with your doctor about this and any treatment options you may consider.
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Place bandages over the bumps. In order to avoid spreading the virus and affecting other areas of the skin, bandages should be applied over each infection site.
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Apply an over-the-counter topical cream to the affected areas. Ointments that contain salicylic acid can often help reduce the size of the bumps that appear on the skin; use this ointment twice a day to cure the molluscum. In moderate to severe cases, your doctor may prescribe podofilox or tretinoin to treat the skin condition.
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Visit with your physician to determine if you are a candidate for a medical procedure to remove the molluscum bumps. Your doctor can use different techniques to get rid of the bumps and eliminate the virus from your system. Options include extrusion (manually squeezing the bumps) and curettage (surgically scraping away the bumps).
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Ask your physician about removing the rash through cryotherapy if the genitals have been affected. Cryotherapy is a procedure in which liquid nitrogen is applied to get rid of the rash. This is typically the preferred method for cases of molluscum appearing on the genitals.
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