Being a mother comes with its unique challenges, and one of them might be dealing with your child's skin conditions like molluscum contagiosum. If you've found your way here, you're likely searching for answers and solutions. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore molluscum contagiosum, its impact on young skin, and introduce you to a highly effective natural solution - Manuka Biotic's Molluscum Bundle.
Understanding Molluscum Contagiosum for Parents
What is Molluscum Contagiosum?
Molluscum contagiosum is a common viral skin infection of childhood that causes localised clusters of umbilicated epidermal papules. It mainly affects infants and young children under the age of 10 years. This condition tends to be more numerous and last longer in children who also have atopic dermatitis, due to deficiencies in the skin barrier.
What Causes Molluscum Contagiosum?
Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a poxvirus, the molluscum contagiosum virus, with at least four viral subtypes.
This virus spreads through various means, including:
- Direct Skin-to-Skin Contact: The virus can be transmitted through physical contact with an infected person's skin.
- Indirect Contact: Sharing towels or personal items can facilitate transmission.
- Auto-Inoculation: Scratching or contact with someone's skin can inadvertently spread the virus.
- Wet Conditions: Transmission is more likely in wet environments, such as during bathing or swimming. The incubation period typically lasts for about two weeks but can extend to as long as six months.
Clinical Features of Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum typically presents as clusters of small, round papules ranging in size from 1 to 6 mm. These papules can appear white, pink, or brown and often have a waxy, shiny appearance with a small central pit, giving them an umbilicated appearance. Each papule contains white cheesy material.
There may be few or hundreds of papules on one individual, commonly found in warm and moist areas such as the armpit, behind the knees, groin, or genital areas. While it can occur on the lips or rarely inside the mouth, it does not affect the palms or soles. Scratching often leads to autoinoculation, with the papules forming a row. Molluscum contagiosum can induce dermatitis, making the affected skin pink, dry, and itchy. As the papules resolve, they may become inflamed, crusted, or scabby for a week or two.
Complications of Molluscum Contagiosum
Complications associated with molluscum contagiosum include:
- Secondary Bacterial Infections: Scratching the papules can lead to secondary bacterial infections, such as impetigo.
- Conjunctivitis: When the eyelid is affected, it can result in conjunctivitis.
- Disseminated Secondary Eczema: Widespread molluscum contagiosum can induce eczema.
- Spontaneous Pitted Scarring: In some cases, spontaneous pitted scarring may occur, especially in immune-deficient individuals.
Diagnosis and Outlook
Molluscum contagiosum is usually recognised by its characteristic clinical appearance, but it can also be diagnosed through dermatoscopy or skin biopsy. The outlook for molluscum contagiosum in immune-competent hosts is relatively harmless, with the papules often persisting for up to 2 years or longer. In children, many cases clear up by 12 months, and two-thirds by 18 months, with or without treatment. However, contact with another infected individual later on can lead to a new crop of lesions. In the presence of significant immune deficiency, the infection can be very persistent.
The Molluscum Bundle: Your Trusted Companion
Introducing Manuka Biotic's Molluscum Bundle
For parents navigating the challenges of molluscum contagiosum, Manuka Biotic's Molluscum Bundle stands as a game-changing solution. This comprehensive bundle comprises three essential products designed to provide relief for your child molluscum:
1. Mānuka Oil 10ml:
The star ingredient of our products, is our certified organic Mānuka oil. Research* shows that Mānuka Oil is a potent ingredient, loaded with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiviral and antioxidant properties.
2. Calming Body Wash:
Our Calming Body Wash is formulated to cleanse and soothe irritated skin. It helps to keep the skin clean of the bacteria associated with molluscum contagiosum and promotes overall overall skin health.
3. Eczema Relief Body Lotion:
Specially crafted to nourish and hydrate the skin, this Eczema Relief Body Lotion helps alleviate the dryness and itchiness often linked to molluscum contagiosum. It provides essential moisture to maintain healthy skin.
How to Use the Molluscum Bundle
When using Manuka Biotic's Molluscum Bundle, it's essential to follow these steps:
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Patch Test: Before applying the products extensively, conduct a patch test. This simple precaution ensures that your child's skin responds well to the treatment.
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Apply Mānuka Oil: Using a Q-tip apply the Mānuka oil to to target the affected Molluscum spots. This should be done with care and attention to prevent further irritation.
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Use Calming Body Wash: During bathing, use the calming body wash to cleanse the skin gently.
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Apply Eczema Relief Body Lotion: After bathing, apply the eczema relief body lotion to keep the skin moisturised and prevent dryness and itching.
Experience the Soothing Relief
Dealing with molluscum contagiosum can be a challenging experience for any parent. However, with Manuka Biotic's Molluscum Bundle, is a saviour for wart-like viruses such as Molluscum Contagiosum. Our Molluscum Bundle consisting of Body Lotion, Body Wash and Mānuka Oil, are formulated to clear the bacteria on the skin to reduce the spread of the molluscum (and school sores) and most importantly soothe itching from molluscum.
As a parent, you always want the best for your child, especially when it comes to their well-being and comfort. Manuka Biotic's Molluscum Bundle offers a holistic and effective approach to managing molluscum contagiosum. You can read here one mum's story with using our products to treat her little one's molluscum.
SOURCES
1.https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/molluscum-contagiosum/transmission.html
2. Maddocks-Jennings, W. et al. (2005) A fresh look at manuka and Kanuka Essential Oils from New Zealand, International Journal of Aromatherapy. No longer published by Elsevier. Available here.
3. Hon A/Prof Amanda Oakley, Dermatologist, Hamilton, New Zealand, 1997. Updated by Dr. Amanda Oakley and Dr. Daniela Vanousova, Dermatologist, Czech Republic, in September 2015. Published by DermNet NZ Revision August 2021. Available here.
4. Olsen JR, Piguet V, Gallacher J, Francis NA. Molluscum contagiosum and associations with atopic eczema in children: a retrospective longitudinal study in primary care. Br J Gen Pract. 2016;66(642):e53-8. doi:10.3399/bjgp15X688093. Journal
