Molluscum contagiosum or watery warts is an infection that causes small and benign bumps on the surface of the skin. These bumps and skin lesions are usually painless and no scars remain after treatment. Molluscum contagiosum infection can be transmitted through direct contact with the virus. The duration of the virus is different for each person. But the bumps can last between 2 months and 4 years on the skin. remain.

This infection usually resolves without treatment.. In this GCORP LLC magazine article, we review the symptoms, treatment options, complications, and prevention methods for this infection.

What are the symptoms of watery warts?

If a person is in contact with the Molluscum Contagiosum virus, the symptoms of infection may not appear in him for up to 6 months.. It takes at least 2 to 7 weeks to see the symptoms of this virus.. The initial symptom of this disease is the appearance of a group of small and painless lesions on the skin.. These lesions can appear on the skin..

They are very small and shiny

They have a smooth and smooth appearance

In some cases, they are dome-shaped with a depression in its center

Flesh color, white or pink

They are firm and rigid

Their central core is filled with waxy material

The diameter of each row is between 2 and 5 mm

They appear anywhere on the body except the palms or soles of the feet.

Types of watery warts

Four types of Molluscum Contagiosum virus are known so far....MCV-1 virus is more common in children....MCV-2 virus mainly affects people with HIV... MCV-3 and MCV-4 viruses may develop in any person.

• Watery warts in babies: This virus is mild but contagious in babies.
• Watery warts in children: Skin lesions of this disease in children mostly occur on the face, abdomen, trunk, arms and legs.
• Watery warts in adults: This type of mollusk is also known as watery genital warts, and its skin lesions often appear on the abdomen, inner thighs, or around the genitals. Note that watery genital warts are different from genital warts.

Read more: When does skin wart appear?

How is watery wart diagnosed?

The skin bumps caused by this disease have a special appearance.... That's why the doctor can diagnose the disease with a physical examination.... Also, for more certainty, the doctor may also use the biopsy method.... In this diagnostic method, a part of the wart tissue is removed and tested.

If your skin lesions are caused by a mollusk, the possibility of other diseases such as skin cancer, chicken pox and warts is ruled out. Therefore, we recommend that you always visit a dermatologist to examine skin lesions that have been on your skin for more than a few days.

Watery wart treatment

People with a healthy immune system do not need to take medicine to treat this disease.. because the bumps usually disappear without medical intervention... However, you should see a doctor immediately if you have the following symptoms:

• Large lesions located on the face and neck
• Concern about the spread of the virus
• Having a weak immune system.

Based on your symptoms, your doctor may use one of the following treatments to help you get better.

• Cryotherapy: The doctor freezes skin lesions with liquid nitrogen.
• Shaving the ridges (curtage): The doctor makes a hole in the skin lesion and scrapes it off the skin with a small tool.
• laser therapy
• Local treatment: The doctor prescribes creams containing iodine and salicylic acid, tretinoin, cantharidin and imiquimod.
• Drug therapy

Symptoms of molluscum contagiosum disease

Although most of the symptoms of this disease improve without treatment. But some people suffer from complications that include:

• Creating impetigo or skin infection that occurs after scratching the lesions
• Conjunctivitis or eye infection that may appear due to mollusc lesions on the eyelid
• Diffuse secondary eczema caused by overreaction of the body's immune system to the virus
• Creation of molluscum contagiosum lesions on the skin that are larger than usual and often occur on the face
• A scar with a pitted appearance that is created on the skin spontaneously or due to surgical lesions.

Read more: What is an anal wart?

Prevention of watery warts

Molluscum Contagiosum virus can be transmitted in different ways, which include:

1... skin contact with a person who carries the infection

You can get molluscum contagiosum by touching lesions on the skin of a person who has this infection... Children can pass the virus to other children during play... Teenagers and adults are more likely to get this infection through sexual contact.

Also, the virus may be transmitted during sports such as wrestling or football..

2... contact with surfaces touched by an infected person

The virus can survive on surfaces for a long time.. Therefore, it may be transmitted by touching towels, clothes, toys or other surfaces contaminated with the virus..

3... Internal spread by an infected person

If you have this virus, you may spread the infection all over your body. The virus is spread by scratching the wart and then touching another part of the body.

Note that the transmission of this virus is mostly done in wet environments such as swimming pools. Also, if the skin lesions are no longer visible, the virus cannot be transmitted from one person to another. The best way to prevent mollusks is to avoid touching the skin of an infected person. Following the recommendations below can help prevent the spread of infection..

• Wash your hands regularly with warm water and soap.
• Teach children the correct way to wash their hands.
• Do not use other people's personal items such as towels, clothes, soap, etc. and do not share your personal items with others.
• If you have this disease, keep the bumps clean and covered to prevent the spread of the virus.
• Avoid correcting the parts where there are skin lesions.
• If there is a bump in the genital area, avoid sexual contact.

What are the risk factors of molluscum contagiosum virus?

All people can be infected with this virus.. but some are more susceptible to this disease than others... These susceptible groups are:

• Children between 1 and 10 years
• People who live in tropical climates
• People who have a weak immune system due to organ transplants, cancer treatment, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
• People with atopic dermatitis (atopic dermatitis)
• Athletes who participate in sports where skin-to-skin contact is common.

Read more: Plantar warts in children

Summary

A watery wart is an infectious disease caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus. This disease usually recovers without the need for medical intervention. But people who have a weak immune system should see a doctor for symptoms. Also, the skin lesions of this disease disappear between 6 and 12 months. It is completely destroyed in the body and you are no longer a carrier of the disease... Of course, remember; Once you have the disease, you are still susceptible to its virus.... If you do not have access to a dermatologist, we suggest you consult an online dermatologist at GCORP LLC.