Molluscum contagiosum in adults – skin infectious pathology of a viral nature. The disease manifests itself in people of different ages. Adults and the elderly after 60 years of age get sick more often, but in children of the first year of life, the disease is practically not registered.
Climatic conditions, religious and cultural characteristics do not affect the prevalence of pathology, because the incidence in all countries of the world is approximately the same. But hot weather with high humidity, in tandem with ignoring the rules of daily hygiene, can give outbreaks of the disease.
About the causes of molluscum contagiosum, the main clinical manifestations of the disease, and treatment options, read on estet-portal.com in this article.
Insidious virus: who should be treated for molluscum contagiosum
The causative agent of molluscum contagiosum in adults is orthopoxvirus, a close "relative" of smallpox. Predisposing factors for the disease include:
• cytostatic or hormonal treatment, especially glucocorticoids;
• crowding;
• constant contact with a large number of people.
Routes of transmission of molluscum contagiosum – common household items and underwear, showers, doorknobs, pool rails.
In adults, the virus is transmitted sexually, but not through the secrets of the gonads, but through close bodily contact. The incubation period of molluscum contagiosum lasts from 14 to 180 days.
Molluscum contagiosum: clinic, diagnosis, treatment
Typical symptomatic picture of molluscum contagiosum
There are no external changes in the body throughout the incubation period.
The active stage of molluscum contagiosum in adults is characterized by the appearance of a manifesting symptom – dense papules are visualized, prominently protruding above the level of the epidermis.
Pressing causes the cork to come out, the consistency resembling crumbly cottage cheese. The shape of the formations resembles a sphere or an oval. The outer surface is dense, shiny, painted in pearl white, pink or gray-yellow.
The size of the papules is up to 0.1 cm. Up to 15% of their number look like a navel, since the center has a depression. Infrequently, but the rash tends to merge, forming huge plaques, reaching up to 5 cm in size.
Papules do not actively grow, reaching a maximum diameter of 6 to 12 weeks. Then their slow death begins. Skin changes do not spread throughout the body, but capture certain areas.
Prevailing localization of molluscum contagiosum – upper torso, groin area, genitals, abdomen.
One of the most dangerous localizations of the rash – upper eyelid. The virus, due to its proximity to the eye, is able to migrate into the eye structures, causing ophthalmic diseases such as conjunctivitis, blepharitis, keratitis. Usually, there are up to 10 moderately itchy elements of the rash.
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Molluscum contagiosum in adults: to treat or not to treat
If the molluscum contagiosum is not located in areas of increased skin trauma, and does not cause aesthetic discomfort, then therapy is abandoned in favor of self-healing.
Molluscum contagiosum papules disappear in 6 to 9 months, occasionally visible up to 4 years.
If necessary, to destroy the manifestations of the disease, mechanical scraping is used with the help of a Volkmann spoon. For the treatment of the disease, laser therapy, exposure to liquid nitrogen and electric current are prescribed. Interventions are carried out, observing sterility and preventing contamination of adjacent skin areas.
All elements of the rash, even the smallest ones, must be removed. During the treatment of molluscum contagiosum, it is important to observe the rules of personal hygiene, because the disease is easily transmitted through household items.
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