{"id":6466,"date":"2019-05-07T03:14:36","date_gmt":"2019-05-07T03:14:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=6466"},"modified":"2021-04-05T17:46:11","modified_gmt":"2021-04-05T17:46:11","slug":"14-signs-to-recognize-molluscum-contagiosum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-signs-to-recognize-molluscum-contagiosum\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Signs to Recognize Molluscum Contagiosum"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A viral infection that brings about a fairly mild skin rash, Molluscum Contagiosum affects many people at many different stages of life. There are certain features of the condition which make it possible for people to recognize it themselves, without the advice of a doctor, usually characterized by the appearance of small wart-like bumps.
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Kids between the ages of 1 and 12 years old are most commonly affected by Molluscum Contagiosum, however, the condition also affects athletes who have experienced close skin to skin contact. Think about your wrestlers and your gymnasts here. People whose immune systems are weaker than normal may also be affected, including people living with HIV, or who are currently undergoing cancer treatments, or steroid use over a longer period of time.
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As the name suggests, this disorder of the skin is contagious, meaning it can be passed from one person to another. There is little known about how long the rash is contagious for, however, it is known to be highly contagious in children.
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8 signs to help a person recognize the condition are listed here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.     Small round, pink, white or skin-colored \u2018Mollusca\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Known as \u2018Mollusca<\/a>\u2019, these highly contagious bumps can vary in color. Some people will experience pink variations, whilst others will see white or even skin-colored pimples as bumps appear. The bumps are usually full to bursting point with a pretty horrible pus center. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This waxy looking center is like a caramel filling from hell because it’s not nearly as pleasing as caramel. This is where the virus is stored, and the shiny or pearly look that each Mollusca presents with, should in no way make a person feel like they’re any nicer than they are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The color of the Mollusca can have an impact on how much the condition affects a person psychologically, as skin-colored varieties are easier to disguise. Given the highly contagious nature of the condition though, the color should be one of the last things to concern someone who develops it. The color varies, but the condition is the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2.     The progress of the spots<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Part of the process of recognizing the signs of Molluscum Contagiosum involves having an understanding of the progress of the clusters of the spots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting out at about the size of a pinhead, each spot is very small in the early stages, almost unable to be seen by those with poorer short distance eyesight. Over the course of several miserable weeks, the spots grow and develop into bumps that can be anywhere from the size of a pea, up to the size of a small egg. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Obviously, the larger the spots are, the more unpleasant they are for a person to deal with, especially as the amount of pus<\/a> on the inside is greater with a larger bump. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, a tiny dimple or an indentation develops on the top of each Molluscum, and this usually signals that the spots are on their way out. It can be an unpleasant experience to see through, but the end is in sight at this point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3.     Distribution<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In terms of recognizing Molluscum Contagiosum over the presence of many other similar skin conditions, the distribution of the spots can be a telltale sign, a dead giveaway even. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whereas a small proportion of sufferers will end up with just the one bump, appearing alone, the majority of people who develop the condition will see groups or clusters emerging, sometimes in rows. When this particular distribution is observed, along with some of the other signs for recognition detailed here, it\u2019s a very educated guess to assume that a person is suffering from Molluscum Contagiosum, and so must take steps to avoid infecting anyone else. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even when the diagnosis is uncertain, planning for the infection <\/a>as if it were contagious is the best bet, as this means that in the eventuality that it is what you expect it to be, the risk of infecting others has already been managed. Plan for the worst and hope for the best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4.     Location<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In terms of where the infection is most likely to show up, there isn\u2019t really any particular one size fits all advice or rule of thumb. In fact, the Molluscum can show up pretty much anywhere on a person’s skin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kids are most likely to develop the infection on their chest and stomach<\/a>, given they may play bare-chested for a lot of the time. This also an area that comes into contact a fair bit. The arms too, including the armpits are a common sight, as are the legs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is again due to the exposure that these parts of the body experience. It follows then that the face is also a prime site for Molluscum Contagiosum to develop, and it is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One further site where the infection is common is the genitals of a person. This time, it isn\u2019t exposure that makes this part of the body a likely site for infection, it is the touch that is the culprit instead. Every time a child goes to the bathroom or has a root around in their pants as kids sometimes do, the infection could be passed on unknowingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5.     Who is likely to get it<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although it isn\u2019t strictly categorized as an STD<\/a>, sexually active teens and adults are at risk of getting Molluscum Contagiosum from close contact in these areas. It can be sometimes be misdiagnosed as another more commonly understood STD, such as herpes or genital warts, causing undue stress and even unnecessary treatment. Skin to skin is the causal factor, not just sexual contact, but all skin to skin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, in terms of recognizing the signs, the appearance of the previously mentioned symptoms in the region of the genitals can be a really good piece of evidence in establishing the presence of Molluscum Contagiosum. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As with many other sexually transmitted diseases and skin infections, wearing a condom will not prevent a person from becoming infected, given that this is a condition passed on via skin to skin contact, as opposed to the swapping of bodily fluids such as semen or vaginal secretions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6.     Number of spots<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned previously, a person would be very lucky to only experience the development of one spot, however, this is still possible. Given the rarity of the development of a singular spot, a person should probably thank their lucky stars and then go and buy a lottery ticket, as the vast majority of people usually develop many more than just the one spot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kids tend to develop the most spots, with the average range being between 5 and 15. This said, there have been some cases recorded where sufferers have presented with up to 20 or more Mollusca. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most adults and adolescents develop the spots in any number up to and including 10. This is perhaps due to the better hygiene <\/a>practices of an older person, meaning that the localized spread is reduced in the early stages. Adults are less likely to pick and pull at their spots than children are, meaning that the initial spread will be kept to a minimum. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, though, several spots should be expected to form on anyone suffering from Molluscum Contagiosum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7.     Painless<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps one of the only positive signs that will be experienced in the recognition of this condition, is the fact that the spots are usually painless. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For skin infections, this is quite rare, as sufferers of folliculitis will attest to it. With folliculitis<\/a>, the skin can be become inflamed and tender, whereas, with Molluscum Contagiosum, any pain is very unlikely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sensations that a person may experience are instead limited to itchiness, with the spots also having the potential to become red and swollen later down the line of development. On the odd occasion where the condition does become painful, this is likely due to poor management of the condition by the sufferer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the spots are itched and become broken, they are prone to becoming infected. Infection is likely to cause some soreness, resulting in pain and potentially spreading or prolonging the condition. If left alone, the condition is likely to be a fairly painless experience.
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8.     Mood swings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An often-overlooked sign or symptom of skin conditions, the psychological effect on a person should never be discounted. Some rashes or skin ailments clear up by themselves within a matter of days, either by the course of nature or with topical, over-the-counter style treatments<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Molluscum Contagiosum though, as stated previously, has the nasty habit of sticking around for a little while longer, sometimes for a few weeks even. The effect on a person’s mood can be hugely detrimental, and the display of mood swings can possibly be attributed to the fact that this condition is mainly painless, meaning that it can be forgotten about due to distraction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As soon as a person is reminded of the presence of the condition though, they can be sent back into the negative frame of mind the condition had them in previously. It\u2019s all connected, the body and the mind, and the impact of one on the other should never be underestimated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Weeping Spots<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When kids develop the spots associated with MC infection, they find them incredibly irritating<\/a>. As a result, they tend to scratch at them, which causes the spots top burst open. After breaking, the spots weep a yellow-clear liquid over the affected area. Unfortunately, this pus causes the development of more blisters in the localized area, resulting in an outbreak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s best to explain to your child that they are not to scratch them and that it may leave scarring in areas such as their face. When the pus gets on the fingers of the child, they may spread it to other regions of the body, where outbreaks start to occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the spots present itching or irritation, try calming the area using calamine lotion to provide relief from the itching symptoms and prevent the transfer of the infection. The blisters do not always present itching symptoms, and the duration of the disease varies depending on the health of the patients’ immune system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Pinkeye<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pinkeye <\/a>is one of the classic complications associated with MC infection. IF the child experiences an outbreak of spots above their eyebrow, they may break them when wiping their forehead. As a result, the pus may leak down into the eyes, causing the development of pinkeye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conjunctivitis is a highly infectious and contagious condition. The majority of pinkeye outbreaks occur in nursery schools. Preschools are the ideal breeding ground for these types of diseases. Kids have yet to learn a proper understanding of hygiene, and they readily share drinks and food with friends without a thought to infection or disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, these diseases spread through preschoolers like wildfire. Since most young children are yet to develop a robust immune system, kids are easy targets for pathogens. The kids then bring the virus home to the rest of the family that spread it throughout the adult and adolescent communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Nursery School Outbreaks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As previously mentioned, nursery schools are hubs for the growth and spread of pathogens. When one child catches a virus or bacterial infection, they are likely to spread it to their friends through contact with the skin or by swapping body fluids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A child may drink out of their juice box and then offer it to a friend who sucks on the straw and contracts the pathogen<\/a>. Diseases spread quickly through preschools, and if your child comes down with MC, then it’s best to alert the staff immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being a responsible parent and alerting the school of your child’s state helps to prevent infection in the other children and the caregivers. Armed with knowledge, the staff can call the parents of your child’s friends to alert them to the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quarantine your child away from others until they recover from the disease. Your child will remain contagious until the spots start to fade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Autoimmune Response<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When children develop the signs and symptoms of MC, they start to develop small red spots in various locations on the body. At first, the blisters <\/a>are not a cause for alarm, but after a few days, they continue to grow larger. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The spots fill up with clear or milky pus, and a black spot develops in the center of the blister. You’ll notice signs of redness and inflammation around the base of the blister, which medical experts think is an immune response to the infection, containing it from spreading. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children with weak immune systems or autoimmune disorders may be at higher risk of developing complications related to MC infection. In some cases, children may experience outbreaks of eczema or psoriasis that exacerbate the condition, as well as the symptoms of pain and irritation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your child experiences large spots or plenty of outbreaks on their skin, then consult with your doctor to look for any underlying health disorders in your child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Risk Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are a set of risk factors that make some individuals more predisposed to infection with MC. If you find yourself or your family members mentioned in the high-risk groups below, consider increasing your preventative measures for avoiding disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children between the ages of 2 and 5-years old are most at risk of developing the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Risk increases if the child attends preschool or takes part in after-school activities with other children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parents and siblings of children who develop MC are also at risk of catching the disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children are most at risk of infection due to their developing immune systems. However, adults with weak or compromised immune systems<\/a> are also at risk if they come across an infected individual. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most MC infections occur around seasonal changes in the weather. Viruses and bacteria are active around the springtime and early fall, which are prime times of the year for viral and bacterial infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Prevention Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are steps you can take to formulate a strategy for avoiding infection with MC. Start your assessment of your hygiene by increasing the amount of time you wash your hands throughout the day. Avoid sharing towels and clothing with other people who may have the disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the blisters burst and the patient gets the pus on their hands, they may transfer it to your when shaking hands. If your line of work involves meeting lots of new people during the day, consider switching to a fist bump instead of shaking hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Men who shave should avoid shaving over the bumps as they may cause them to rupture and spread to other areas on the neck. Similarly, women who shave their legs should avoid the spots as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid sexual contact with anyone who has the spots around their genitals. Molluscum contagiosum contacted through sexual contact is considered a sexually transmitted infection<\/a>.
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