Molluscum Contagiosum Support Group
Molluscum contagiosum are wart-like tumors of the skin caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV-1 to -4), a DNA poxvirus. This condition is commonly found in young children and affects the body, arms, and legs. It is spread through direct contact, saliva, or shared articles of clothing. In adults, molluscum infections are often sexually transmitted and usually...
Hello All,
I've read page after page and see many posts outlining similar experiences to my own. In short, I feel the need to inform others of the key element which made my Molluscum last for an excruciating 33 months. Yes,,, 2 YEARS and 8 MONTHS with this virus!! I'm a healthy, active, 28 year old male, and I want to tell you what NOT to do. I've done just as much research as each of you, but unfortunately not until after making the mistake of trusting a dermatologist. I've tried many of the remedies discussed in this forum; both holistic home remedies and (what turned out to be) commercial scams. Following my point, I'll describe briefly what worked for me.
DO NOT treat Molluscum Contagiosum with topical steroids of any kind. No cortisone, no over-the-counter-strength petroleum or cream based steroids, and most certainly NO PRESCRIPTION STRENGTH TOPICAL STEROIDS such as clobetasol. My dermatologist (who turned out to be 100% worthless, I'd even say ignorant) initially prescribed a combination of a topical antibiotic and a topical steroid (clobetasol). Sadly, at the time I was 24 and didn't know a thing about steroids. For everyone's best interest here are a few facts about topical steroids, or corticosteroids. "Topical corticosteroids are used to suppress the inflammation in the skin that causes flare-ups of eczema. They are not a cure as they have no effect on the underlying cause of the inflammation, but they do control the flare-up and relieve the symptoms, such as itching and redness." Sounds great for some one suffering from MC symptoms right? WRONG!!. What that informative quote doesn't tell you is that corticosteroids accomplish this through suppressing your skin's immune system/barrier. Hmmmm, do you think it's a good idea to suppress the immune ability of skin in an area infected with a topical virus? Common sense would certainly suggest,,,, no. Additionally, prolonged use of corticosteroids is proven (as-in FACT) to cause skin atrophy. In simpler terms, it permanently thins out your skin/dermis. To be clear, my "doctor", had me suppressing the immune capability of my infected skin while simultaneously thinning it out to further deteriorate it's resilience. Oh, and skin atrophy is irreversible. it took me about 5 month's to realize my dermatologist was a complete quack and by then it was too late. Please, please, please, no matter what your dermatologist tells you, DO NOT put corticosteroids anywhere near your molluscum infection. It makes it worse, and enables the viral infection by deteriorating your skin in more ways than one.
What worked for me: Practicing all of the aforementioned hygiene and health guidance in other member's post's such as no smoking, no drinking, healthy diet, non-invasive exercise, daily vitamin, change underwear as often as possible, use towels once, wash and disinfect everything regularly, and FIGHT BACK. I fought back by doing the following. After a shower (use sensitive skin soap), take tweezers and delicately remove the white head/papule from each mature lesion, do this carefully so as not to let it touch any surrounding area. Blot the area around each papule with alcohol to prevent spreading. Each lesion will bleed for several minutes, do one at a time so you can pay attention and blot it with alcohol soaked (lightly soaked) tissue or cotton until it stops bleeding. Then, take a very small dose of bacitracin (or other common topical antibiotic) and apply it to the now headless lesion. Repeat. This was by far the most expedient method I could find to rid myself of a lesion from start to finish. Lastly, be thankful it's temporary, and pray. Pray for health, for strength to cope with the struggles this virus will surely put you through, for health, resilience, and healing. It may take years, but if handled properly God will see you through the other side without any permanent damage. Someday it will be a distant memory which makes you treasure your health all the more!!
I've read page after page and see many posts outlining similar experiences to my own. In short, I feel the need to inform others of the key element which made my Molluscum last for an excruciating 33 months. Yes,,, 2 YEARS and 8 MONTHS with this virus!! I'm a healthy, active, 28 year old male, and I want to tell you what NOT to do. I've done just as much research as each of you, but unfortunately not until after making the mistake of trusting a dermatologist. I've tried many of the remedies discussed in this forum; both holistic home remedies and (what turned out to be) commercial scams. Following my point, I'll describe briefly what worked for me.
DO NOT treat Molluscum Contagiosum with topical steroids of any kind. No cortisone, no over-the-counter-strength petroleum or cream based steroids, and most certainly NO PRESCRIPTION STRENGTH TOPICAL STEROIDS such as clobetasol. My dermatologist (who turned out to be 100% worthless, I'd even say ignorant) initially prescribed a combination of a topical antibiotic and a topical steroid (clobetasol). Sadly, at the time I was 24 and didn't know a thing about steroids. For everyone's best interest here are a few facts about topical steroids, or corticosteroids. "Topical corticosteroids are used to suppress the inflammation in the skin that causes flare-ups of eczema. They are not a cure as they have no effect on the underlying cause of the inflammation, but they do control the flare-up and relieve the symptoms, such as itching and redness." Sounds great for some one suffering from MC symptoms right? WRONG!!. What that informative quote doesn't tell you is that corticosteroids accomplish this through suppressing your skin's immune system/barrier. Hmmmm, do you think it's a good idea to suppress the immune ability of skin in an area infected with a topical virus? Common sense would certainly suggest,,,, no. Additionally, prolonged use of corticosteroids is proven (as-in FACT) to cause skin atrophy. In simpler terms, it permanently thins out your skin/dermis. To be clear, my "doctor", had me suppressing the immune capability of my infected skin while simultaneously thinning it out to further deteriorate it's resilience. Oh, and skin atrophy is irreversible. it took me about 5 month's to realize my dermatologist was a complete quack and by then it was too late. Please, please, please, no matter what your dermatologist tells you, DO NOT put corticosteroids anywhere near your molluscum infection. It makes it worse, and enables the viral infection by deteriorating your skin in more ways than one.
What worked for me: Practicing all of the aforementioned hygiene and health guidance in other member's post's such as no smoking, no drinking, healthy diet, non-invasive exercise, daily vitamin, change underwear as often as possible, use towels once, wash and disinfect everything regularly, and FIGHT BACK. I fought back by doing the following. After a shower (use sensitive skin soap), take tweezers and delicately remove the white head/papule from each mature lesion, do this carefully so as not to let it touch any surrounding area. Blot the area around each papule with alcohol to prevent spreading. Each lesion will bleed for several minutes, do one at a time so you can pay attention and blot it with alcohol soaked (lightly soaked) tissue or cotton until it stops bleeding. Then, take a very small dose of bacitracin (or other common topical antibiotic) and apply it to the now headless lesion. Repeat. This was by far the most expedient method I could find to rid myself of a lesion from start to finish. Lastly, be thankful it's temporary, and pray. Pray for health, for strength to cope with the struggles this virus will surely put you through, for health, resilience, and healing. It may take years, but if handled properly God will see you through the other side without any permanent damage. Someday it will be a distant memory which makes you treasure your health all the more!!
it took 3 visits total to the derm and worked well.