Viral infection treatment
Caring for Molluscum contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum thrives under warm and damp conditions, so keep the skin clean and dry. Try and avoid sharing the affected person’s towels, clothing, facecloths, bed-linen and toys to avoid spreading the condition.
Those affected should be dissuaded from scratching the bumps and certainly from squeezing them as this can promote spread to other areas of skin not yet affected. In children with the condition, thorough hand-washing should be encouraged to remove the virus from the hands. Affected children do not need to stay away from school (or equally, adults, from work).
For adults, shaving on the affected areas should be avoided. Also, if the ano-genital area is affected, refrain from sexual contact until you have seen a healthcare professional.
An introduction to MolluDab
The most common approach GPs currently take when treating Molluscum contagiosum is to do nothing, as the condition often disappears within 12-18 months of its own accord. However, the condition can take longer to resolve and those affected are often highly embarrassed or self-conscious about their condition. Historically, a number of unsuccessful approaches (owing to the pain and scarring) were used to treat Molluscum contagiosum. With the introduction of MolluDab in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, a highly effective treatment is now available. MolluDab has been successfully used in Germany for several years and is the main product paediatricians most often recommend to treat Molluscum contagiosum. As mentioned, it is now available on prescription in England, Wales and Northern Ireland from your GP, or over the counter to order from your pharmacists, . MolluDab is a topical treatment which helps to kill the virus which causes Molluscum contagiosum and removes the bumps far more quickly than leaving the condition to resolve of its own accord. Furthermore, it does not cause the pain or scarring associated with certain physical removal techniques.
MolluDab works on Molluscum contagiosum
MolluDab contains 5% potassium hydroxide and this is dotted on the Molluscum contagiosum bumps twice daily by parents or the patients themselves. It breaks down the skin cells which encase the virus, to enable the immune system to recognise the virus and respond to it. After around 4-6 days treatment, the immune system mounts an ‘inflammatory reaction’ to Molluscum contagiosum. Once this inflammatory response has cleared the virus, the skin can begin healing and the Molluscum contagiosum lesions disappear after 1- 5 weeks.
How to apply MolluDab to Molluscum contagiosum
The video below demonstrates how to apply MolluDab. In addition, the following instructions are a concise guide on how to use MolluDab. For a full version, a patient leaflet is also available. Click hereto download the patient information leaflet.
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