What Is Fungal Acne? Symptoms, Treatment, Vs. Acne

Molluscum Contagiosum – Symptoms, Treatments And Prevention

What is it?

Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a viral skin infection caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) and is highly infectious.

MCV belongs to the family of poxviruses, which infect human skin cells.

Some people are resistant to the molluscum contagiosum virus so won't become infected, even when in contact with someone who is infected. It's not known why some people are resistant and some people aren't.

What are the symptoms?

If your child has molluscum contagiosum they may have small lesions or abnormal patches on the skin that can be firm, raised and painless. The lesions usually appear in small clusters and spread widely across different parts of the body, including hands, arms, face and neck.

Some of the lesions have a tiny grey head in the centre and are pearly in appearance. This head may split, causing a thick yellowy-white substance to escape, which is highly infectious.

More like this

You and your child should avoid handling or squeezing the lesions, as this will speed up the spreading of the infection.

Each lesion will crust over in its own time and heal, up to approximately 12 weeks after it first appeared.

For about one in 10 cases, patches of eczema can develop around the lesions, according to the NHS.

How does molluscum contagiosum spread?

Molluscum contagiosum can be spread through close direct contact, such as touching the skin of someone who is infected. It's common in schools because the sharing of contaminated objects, such as toys and clothes, can spread the virus easily.

Do you need to take your child to the doctor?

Yes. Your doctor will examine your child's skin and ask about their symptoms. However, molluscum contagiosum usually clears without the need for treatment.

Should your child go to school?

Yes. It's not necessary for your child to stay home from school with molluscum contagiosum and they can continue to swim, too.

However in order to stop the infection from spreading, keep the affected areas of your child covered with clothing where possible. Make sure your child doesn't scratch the infected area because this will prolong the infection.

Wash all clothing, bedding and towels regularly at a high temperature to prevent the infection from spreading.

What else may your child come into contact with during school?

Other infections such as tonsillitis, verrucas, chickenpox, impetigo, ringworm, threadworms, ear infections, diarrhoea and vomiting are also common for your child to catch during school.

Read more:

Drugs For Treatment Of Molluscum Contagiosum (MC) / Water Warts

The central repository of the drug and medication centre helps to navigate to different sections. Medindia's platform provides carefully curated details on generics, brand names, side-effects, adverse reactions, and drug-drug or drug-food interactions. Additionally, there are popular articles on common medication, latest pharma news, calculators, instructional videos, access to directory of pharmaceutical entities, and prevailing regulatory guidelines. For pharmacist and clinicians there are also ICD codes, FDA approved drugs and symptoms that can appear as drug side effects.

Drug Information

Search for information on drugs by clicking on the first letter of the drug name in the A-Z listing.

Drug Price

Make your drug price search easier, search for generics and find the matching brands and easily compare their prices.

Drugs by Conditions

Search for drugs used for various medical conditions that are listed in alphabetical order. Find out more about the medications that are used to treat various medical conditions.

How To Take Drugs

A - Z Index page on how to take a tablet and their dose. Over 1,200 drugs are listed on Medindia site.

Drug Toxicity

All drugs are likely to have some side effects. Therapeutic monitoring of drugs is now readily available to make some of the drugs even safer.

Therapeutic Classification

Make your drug search quicker, easier with therapeutic classification listed as A to Z. Each generic under it has its available strength and dosage form.

ICD Codes for Drugs

Find the ICD ( ICD) latest version 10 codes for drugs on medindia

Drugs - Speciality Wise

Prescription drugs classified by medical specialty.

Drug Interactions

Drug-Drug interaction is a reaction that occurs between two or more drugs when taken together for prevention or treating a medical illness.

Symptom or Signs as Drug Side Effect

Search through over 6000 symptom or signs that can manifest as side effect of a drug. If you experience any of these for the first time, when taking the drug do consult your doctor.

Side effects of Drug or Medication

Medindia's A-Z index page eases your search for side effects of prescription and over-the-counter or OTC medications.

Drugs Interactions with Food

Food may interact and interfere with action of a drug and this can result in harmful side effects. To avoid drug-food interactions it is essential to know which food items should be avoided with certain drugs

FDA Approved Drugs

Section deals with the comprehensive list of drugs approved by FDA. Drug information includes the drug name and indication of use.

FDA Drug Safety Labeling Changes

View monthly summary report for FDA labeling changes of drugs from January to December for the year 2012

Indian Drug Manufacturers

List of Major Pharmaceutical and Biotech Companies in India and their product list. Medications listed for each manufacturer with corresponding Generic name and price details.

Drug Videos

Watch the Medindia Medication /Drug Videos A-Z and advice for better health information.

Pharma Tools

Use the range of pharma calculators to efficiently calculate dosages of drugs, estimate toxicity, and adverse drug reactions.

Drug Related Articles

List of important drug related articles that educate you on benefits and hazards of drugs that are sold on and off the counter. A to Z listing for easy reference.

14 Best Acne Spot Treatments Of 2023, According To Skincare Experts

Differin Gel — which has more than 14,000 reviews on Amazon — is another spot treatment product Caroline recommended.

"I like this as a spot treatment because it is water-based, gentle and tolerable on most skin types. Adapalene (a close sister to Retinol, but in a gentler form) gently works on the growth of cells, aids in healing and calms inflammation," Caroline said.

"This can be used on the whole face, but works exceptionally well as a spot treatment. It won't work overnight, but it will work after a few days for spot reduction!"

Many dermatologists also love Differin Gel because it's great for acne-prone skin and affordable.

13. ZitSticka GOO GETTER, $16 Ulta Beauty

The ZitStick GOO GETTER pimple stickers, are another favorite of Marino's.

"This version of the ZitSticka is formulated for puss-filled surface breakouts. They help to absorb fluid and reduce the size of a pimple," Marino said. "They're formulated with tea tree oil, salicylic acid, niacinamide and hydrocolloid to quickly reduce inflammation and get the skin on its way to healing."

14. Fresh Umbrian Clay Pore Purifying Face Mask, $26+ Sephora

While this product is technically a face mask, Marino likes to use it in specific areas on the face for strategic spot treatment.

"I love this mask used as a spot treatment for deep cysts or inflammatory spots," Marino told The Post. "This mineral-rich mask features Umbrian clay to help balance and purify the skin while chamomile helps to soothe, calm and reduce redness in the skin caused by breakouts."

The mini size (1 oz.) is available for $26 but if you fall in love with the product, you can also grab the full-size tub (3.3 oz) for $58.

For more content, check out the

New York Post Shopping section.

---