Contagious (infectious) clam - a viral infection of the skin. It manifested in the formation of small, shiny and dense elements appearing in different parts of the body. These elements tend to grow in size.
The disease usually occurs due to lower immunity. Molluscum contagiosum is contagious, most often transmitted in closed collectives.
Causes
Cause of molluscum contagiosum is a virus from the group of pox, he infects only human, animals do not get sick.
Provided are 4 types of the virus, often reveal the 1 st and 2 nd. They hit mostly adults, but also children get sick.
Because of the type 2 virus sexual manifestations are formed mainly in children while the symptoms on the skin and gives the face of type 1. Moreover, the periods of lesions strongly delayed - they can occur within six months after infection.
The virus is transmitted by contact and sexual, possible contamination through water pools or hygiene supplies (washcloths, towels, bed linen).
The virus is perfectly preserved in household dust, soil, water. Outbreaks of molluscum contagiosum are more likely to occur in closed groups - contribute to the violation of personal hygiene, decreased immunity, poor health conditions, allergies, skin lesions, prolonged treatment with immunosuppressants.
A special role is played by molluscum contagiosum for adults and children with immunodeficiency and HIV.
Symptoms of Molluscum contagiosum
The incubation period can last from 2-3 weeks to 4-6 months.
Clinical manifestations of molluscum contagiosum is very typical and characteristic. Localized rashes can to:
- external genitalia,
- on the thighs and buttocks,
- on the abdomen, on the face, shoulders and arms,
- on the back,
- less often on their feet.
Initially, the skin bumps are formed of compacted skin, their color is different from the body. Nodules like a hemisphere or pellets under the skin, skin coloring bodily over them or by slightly whiter skin tension. The nodules may be single or multiple.
As the element it appears impression similar to "navel". Depressions are centered and no larger than 2 mm, the tip of the bumps becomes pearlescent, like pearls under the skin.
Crush forceps protuberance is released from its center kroshkovidnaya white curd odorless dry.
Molluscum contagiosum does not hurt, does not blush, do not festers and does not itch, it can secondarily infected only when injury or incorrect treatment.
Children may be screenings of the original elements on the sides, with the formation of confluent areas of clam or grouping bumps.
With strong immunity molluscum contagiosum gradually disappears for six months or a year.
Photo: site of the Department of dermatology Tomsk Military Medical Institute
Diagnostics
In the presence of the typical elements of the diagnosis is not difficult, since the eruptions umbilicated kroshkovidnym and content typical of molluscum contagiosum.
In complex cases a histological examination - take a scraping from the elements and under the microscope reveal special shellfish corpuscles in the cytoplasm of the affected epidermis.
While molluscum contagiosum and is not considered a dangerous disease, its treatment is necessary, if only because it can be contagious to sexual partners, children and others. Plus, its manifestations are not aesthetic and reduce the patient's quality of life.
Manifestations of molluscum contagiosum talk about the immune system problems, need to undergo a full examination and to take measures to strengthen the immune system.
Also, molluscum contagiosum may be an indirect indication of the presence in the body of latent infections, including genital, which require treatment.
Treatment of Molluscum contagiosum
In adults with normal immune systems can leave molluscum contagiosum untreated, it gradually runs for six months.
Children who may be distributors of the virus, as well as for the debilitated adults apply some methods of treatment, depending on the location and extent of damage.
Treat molluscum contagiosum Dermatology and Venereology.
Methods of treatment:
- mechanical removal of nodules squeezing with forceps or a sharp scraping spoon. Skin surface after removal of molluscum contagiosum lubricated iodine solution several days 5%.
- molluscum contagiosum surface cauterization current, laser (diatermokoagulirovanie)
- processing lesions solutions immunomodulators, antiviral ointments and reception antivirals inside (interferon tsikloferon)
- with an abundance of rashes should be applied tetracycline antibiotics, if the children are older than 10 years and adults. Children before this age can not use them!
- cryodestruction shellfish formations dry ice or liquid nitrogen.
However, it is worth remembering that the virus is composed of DNA, thus treated only local manifestations, and the virus for life remains in the body, which gives the possibility of molluscum contagiosum recur further.
In order to prevent relapses is important to maintain and strengthen the immune system, to monitor the hygiene of the body and lead a healthy lifestyle.
Can not be used in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum traditional medicine, it can only complicate and increase the area of ​​destruction.
The prognosis for treatment
The prognosis of molluscum contagiosum favorable complications are rare - mostly secondary skin infection or recurrence.
On average, the disease is cured in six months, even without the intervention of a doctor, provided effectively strengthen immunity.
