Molluscum contagiosum in children is a common viral skin infection that causes tiny skin-colored or pink bumps to appear on the child’s skin. The infecting virus stays inside these bumps and is mildly contagious. The bumps are painless, but they may be itchy and bothersome. Usually, these bumps clear over time, but you can use medications to clear the bumps faster. Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of molluscum contagiosum in children.
What Is Molluscum Contagiosum?
Molluscum contagiosum is an infection of the skin that is transmitted from one person to another through direct contact. The positive side of this skin infection is that unlike chicken pox or measles, there is no pain or fever. However, there is a bit of itchiness that eventually spreads the infection from one part of the body/skin to another. Unlike chicken pox or measles, there is no pain or fever. However, there is a bit of itchiness, which the child may scratch and then touch other places on the skin, eventually spreading the infection from one part of the body/ skin to another.
Symptoms Of Molluscum Contagiosum In Children
The symptoms of molluscum in children can be apparent or otherwise, depending on the infected part of the skin. A child infected with this virus develops tiny pink, flesh-colored round papules. The bumps or pimple-like things are hard to miss and can occur anywhere: the arms, legs, knees, under the armpits, back, tummy, legs, neck, face and even genitals. These little bumps are prominent and can appear in places that you cannot cover, making the child feel conscious and uncomfortable to go out in public. The bumps may appear individually or in patches of twenty or so. Usually, these little lumps are:
Pinkish red, flesh-colored. Smooth and shiny. Firm like a pimple, but with a tiny dent or dimple in the center. Have a diameter of two to five millimeters and are usually painless, but can be itchy at times. Not seen on the palms of your hand or the soles of your feet. Temporary as they fall off after a period, but do not leave a scar, unless affected by bacteria.
In some cases, eczema develops around the molluscum contagiosum bumps. This can happen before or during the treatment (1). Also, a study revealed that the presence of pruritus and surrounding eczema was higher in kids having molluscum contagiosum (2). When you see the bumps on your child’s skin, it is time to go to a dermatologist.
What Causes Molluscum Contagiosum In A Child?
Most healthy children are immune to the virus. However, molluscum contagiosum is contagious and spreads through contact. Your child can acquire the virus if he or she (3):
Touches an infected kid’s lesions during play or activities. Touches one lesion, scratches and touches another part of the body. Contacts surfaces that have been infected by the virus. Shares towels or bed linen used by other kids or adults who are infected with the virus.
Touches or plays with toys, books, and other contaminated items. Shares sports equipment such as shoes, gloves, helmets or mats.
Teenagers and young adults can get this through sexual contact as well. The infection can spread from one part of the body to another if the child scrapes or touches the lump and then touches another part of his body.
Diagnosis Of Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum in children is diagnosed by clinical examination of the bumps on the skin. The doctor may investigate the lumps by having a close look at them or by scraping the skin surface and sending it for a biopsy. Once the doctor confirms it is molluscum contagiosum, they may recommend a treatment procedure (4).
Molluscum Contagiosum Treatment
The lumps on the body appear around two to seven weeks after the child is infected with the virus. Usually, doctors do not recommend treatment as the condition disappears after six to 12 weeks. The condition spreads quickly, so even as lumps on one area of the body disappear, fresh ones may appear on other parts as the virus spreads. It may take anywhere between three months and three years, or even five, for the infection to go completely. In the initial stages, your doctor may ask you to let the body heal itself. While molluscum contagiosum is not serious as other skin infections, it can be uncomfortable and make the patient unsightly. Therefore, it is good to consult a dermatologist for the best course of action for eliminating the condition. The dermatologist may suggest a few options to treat Molluscum Contagiosum in kids.
Oral therapy using medications is ideal for young children who do not want the bumps physically removed because of the pain involved in the procedure. This treatment takes time and gradually relieves the child from the bumps.
Topical therapy involves the use of creams like Cantharidin, Tretinoin and Imiquimod for treating molluscum contagiosum.
Physical removal of the lumps involves freezing (cryotherapy) them using liquid nitrogen or burning them using laser therapy. Doctors may also try curettage, done through piercing and scraping of the lumps. These procedures should be performed by a trained medical practitioner using local anesthesia. They may result in pain and scarring and are not recommended for children (3).
More often than not, molluscum contagiosum is self-limiting and eventually leaves the body without causing any pain or discomfort. If you think your child has had the infection for far too long, you may want to go for one of the above-mentioned treatments.
Natural Remedies For Molluscum Contagiosum In Children
There is no 100% effective treatment for molluscum contagiosum because the treatments can only limit the infection to some extent. Complete eradication of the virus is possible only when the patient takes care to prevent the virus from spreading. Therefore, prevention is better than cure. Here we share some natural remedies for molluscum contagiosum to provide some relief from any itching or tingle that the lumps might cause. However, they do not cure the condition nor can they prevent the spread of the virus.
1. Garlic
Studies have shown that garlic has an immunomodulatory effect (5), meaning it boosts the child’s immunity. Garlic helps the immune system to adjust and modify its response to the virus and reduce the time taken for curing molluscum contagiosum. Garlic also has anti-inflammatory properties and is used to treat acne, psoriasis, and other skin conditions.
After a bath, pat the infected area dry and place finely minced garlic on it.
Cover it with a bandage to hold the garlic in place.
Wash the area the next day and repeat the process.
2. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has antifungal and antimicrobial properties that can help fight the virus (6). Every day, after a bath, dab the infected lumps with fresh cotton swabs soaked in tea tree oil. Do this twice a day to accelerate the treatment time. Use tea tree oil every day until the bumps start becoming smaller and finally disappear.
3. Coconut oil
Coconut oil has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that make it a natural cure for skin infections. Coconut oil is also a good moisturizer for skin and hair, and smells good too! Coconut oil has been used as a remedy to treat molluscum contagiosum for years. Apply pure coconut oil on the affected region at least thrice every day. You can also slightly massage the area but avoid rupturing the bumps to prevent the spread of the infection.
4. Olive oil
Olive oil is one of the most efficient natural remedies for treating skin infections. Ozonated olive oil contains ozone, which can effectively help in fighting infection causing fungi, bacteria, and cancers. Apply olive oil directly on the affected areas to relieve any pain and itching on the skin.
5. Bleach
A bleach bath can be an excellent idea to prevent the spread of the infection through the body. Bleach has anti-bacterial properties and prevents accumulation of bacteria. Add some bleach to your child’s bath and let them soak in it for at least 10 minutes. Then clean them with fresh water, pat them dry and apply tea tree oil on the infected areas.
6. Neem
A traditional remedy used in India, neem has properties that fight pox viruses in children. Boil the leaves in water and add the water to your child’s bath. If you do not have access to leaves, apply neem oil on the infected area. Neem also boosts immunity to fight the infection causing virus. If one of your kids has the infection, use neem water for a bath for the rest of the family to prevent the infection from spreading.
7. Sea salt
Sea salt is an excellent natural remedy to treat molluscum contagiosum. And, there is plenty of it on the planet. Try this solution twice every day to get rid of the bumps caused due to infection.
Mix a few spoons of sea salt and honey. Add a spoonful of olive oil and mix it well. Apply this paste to the affected area and massage it gently for at least 10 minutes. Wash it off with clean water and let the skin dry naturally.
8. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is acidic and can cause a burning sensation when applied. Nevertheless, it works wonderfully on the skin and can hasten the recovery process. You can add a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar to your child’s bath and let them soak in it for 10 minutes. Alternatively, use cotton to dab vinegar on the bumps twice a day.
9. Australian lemon myrtle
A study has revealed that Australian lemon myrtle can significantly reduce the number of lesions caused due to molluscum contagiosum (7). It also eliminates dead cells and helps in generating new skin cells. To get rid of the lumps, mix a spoonful of lemon myrtle with olive oil and create a fine mix. Apply it on the affected area every day.
10. Baking soda
Baking soda has antioxidant properties, which make it a natural remedy to fight molluscum contagiosum. Applying baking soda for a few minutes every day, on the infected area, can help ease the condition.
Mix some baking soda in a cup of warm water and make a fine paste. Apply the paste on the infected part of the skin. You can do this 15-20 minutes before bath time and then wash it off.
11. Catechu
Catechu is a wood extract that is used in molluscum contagiosum treatment. You can mix catechu powder in water and apply the paste on the lumps. Let the paste dry before washing it off the skin.
12. Elderberry extract
Elderberry contains immunity-boosting compounds. You can try the elderberry extracts available in the form of syrups. Elderberry extract can also be applied topically, as you would apple cider vinegar or tea tree oil. In addition to these natural remedies, you can also try these home remedies for molluscum contagiosum bumps to get relief.
Use an astringent topically to treat the condition. You can use cotton to apply a chemical astringent (they are safe, unlike popular belief) on the infected area. If you do not want to pinch or puncture the lumps, you can use duct tape to remove the bumps. Before your kid goes to bed, put duct tape on the lumps and remove it the next morning. You’ll find the lumps coming off with it. However, this could be painful for your child. You can also directly apply iodine on the affected area to prevent bacteria from spreading the infection. Giving your child safe vitamin supplements, rich in vitamin A and E, will improve their immunity and enable them to fight the virus better. A colloidal oatmeal bath can be a good idea when your child has molluscum contagiosum.
Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
Stop your child from touching infected kids or adults. Contact should be avoided with lesions, contaminated toys, towels, bed linen, clothing and other material. You do not have to prevent them from going to school or playing with other children. If your child has the infection, make sure that they do not scratch or pinch the bump and touch other parts of the body with the same hand. If you have a teenager, you may want to talk to them about how the disease can spread through sexual intercourse. Condoms may help but are not entirely effective in preventing the infection from spreading. Cut the nails short.
