Mollusca (Mollusca contagiosa, mollusks) are not real warts. But you can see it quite similar – hence the name. In fact, mollusc warts are a widespread, harmless viral infection of the skin. Read all you need to know about the wart-like skin nodules: cause, symptoms and treatment.
How to recognize mollusc warts
Mollusca (Mollusca contagiosa, mollusks) are one harmless viral infection of the skin, The wart-like papules will be usually pinhead size, Especially in people with HIV / AIDS but they can be unusually large (three to five centimeters in diameter). Doctors then speak of Riesenmollusken (Mollusca contagiosa gigantea).
The papules have one smooth, shiny surface and are Skin-colored, white or transparent, They have one in the middle small dent with a tiny opening, Out of this one can thick, white and infectious fluid escape.
Molluscts kick mostly in groups at one or two skin sites. Sometimes they are also loosely distributed over the body. In children, mollusc warts are found mainly on the face, neck, eyelids, genitals and armpits. In adults, the genital region is usually affected. Most patients get fewer than 20 skin nodules. In some cases, however, several hundred mollusc warts may develop.
Usually the molluscs cause no complaints, However, some patients report itching.
Mollusc warts: cause & contagion
Mollusc warts are no real wartsalthough they look similar. However, true warts are caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The cause of mollusc warts, however, is the Molluscum contagiosum virus, It belongs to the group of smallpox viruses. The pathogen is particularly easy to penetrate the skin when it is softened. Therefore one prefers mullets preferentially in swimming pool one. You will therefore too Swimming pool warts, warts or warts called. Also in gym and in the sauna (sweaty skin!) you can get infected with the mollusc virus.
The infection is mainly due to contact infectionFor example, when one comes into contact with the infectious secretions from the mollusc warts of a patient.
Mollusc warts: risk factors
Especially often you will find mollusc warts childrenbecause their immune system is even more vulnerable than that of adults. Mollusks are one of the most common infections in this age group. Above all, children between the ages of 2 and 12 are affected.
In addition, a mollusc infection is caused by various risk factors favored. These include chapped skin, wounds, circulatory disorders, fungal infections and atopic dermatitis. Mollusc warts are also vulnerable to people whose immune system is weakened by HIV / AIDS or other reasons.
This is how you can treat mollusc warts
In most cases, mollusc warts disappear on their own, within six to nine months. In some cases, they also last for years. Especially in Aids patients, mollusc warts can become chronic or recurrent and cause widespread disease.
In general, however, no mollusc treatment is necessary. If it does (for example, in case of extensive infestation), different methods are possible:
If you want to remove individual mollusc warts, the doctor can use a special instrument under local anesthesia (sharp spoon, ring curette) or scrape first and then squeeze out. It is important to pay attention to careful disinfection, because the expressed material from the molluscs is contagious.
You can also enter salicylate patch to glue on the mollusc warts. The horny layer of the papules is dissolved by salicylic acid.
Mollusc warts in children are usually associated with a Vitamin A acid solution treated. The drug is applied several times daily to the small papules. Previously, you should cover the healthy skin around the mollusks with an ointment or powder to protect them from the acid.
Another option is the irritation treatment with a lovely liquid (like potassium hydroxide solution): The skin in the area of molluscum ignites. This should accelerate spontaneous healing (spontaneous remission).