Skin Care Facts

HPV infection

A highly contagious skin infection that stems from a certain pox virus is known as Molluscum Contagiosum Virus or MCV. This skin infection causes painful lesions on the individual that are highly contagious to other individuals. The virus is so contagious that it can even be spread from touching objects that have been contaminated by an individual who has the virus. There are many different types of treatments that a dermatologist or a pediatrician, if the virus is affecting a child, can prescribe. Unfortunately, this virus can often times be wrongly diagnosed as a different type of problem. Some of these issues include dry skin or eczema. If the virus is affecting an adult, then it can sometimes be confused with the Human Papilloma Virus HPV.

There are normally two different courses of treatment for an individual with the Molluscum virus. One of them is to simply let the virus run through its natural course. This however, can take a period of about two years. The other treatment course is to have the lesions frozen or burnt off. This procedure can be quite painful for the patient, and since the individual is most often a child, it can seem even more painful. While there is pain associated with burning or freezing the lesions off, letting it run through its natural course can threaten the individual’s life because the lesions will allow other infections to enter the body.

MCV has three stages. First, you’ll usually see tiny bumps in a patch that resemble goose bumps. From there, the virus will move into the second stage where the lesions look like flattened moles and then, finally, the third stage where the lesions will look like the pimples every teenager sees during puberty. MCV affects mostly children, but can hit anyone of any age as well. In children, the virus is seen mostly on the face, neck, armpits, hands and arms. For adults it is seen as an STD, or sexually transmitted disease, on the lower abdomen, thigh area, buttocks and genitals.

The Molluscum virus affected one doctor so much when his grand daughters caught it, that a third option for treatment, called the silver cure, was created and comes in a variety of lotions, shampoos and more. Other treatments like this are seen throughout the internet world, but patients with this virus are advised to consult a medical professional before using anything not prescribed by a physician or dermatologist. To keep MCV from spreading, it is important to not allow others to use your personal items, including, but certainly not limited to, towels, hairbrushes, eating utensils and more. Because this virus is so extremely contagious, as are HPV infections, anyone can catch it, even from touching a doorknob that has been contaminated.