Permanent Removal of Molluscum Contagiosum

A common skin disease, molluscum contagiosum is caused by a poxvirus that infects only the skin. While molluscum contagiosum will eventually go away on its own without leaving a scar, many dermatologists advise treating. Treatment can prevent the growths from spreading to other areas of a patient''s body and to other people. Before treatment begins, a dermatologist may confirm that the growths are mollusca by scraping an area of infected skin and looking at the cells under a microscope. If molluscum contagiosum is present, there are a number of treatment options. The following are some very common treatments available nowadays. A 10% iodine solution is placed on the molluscum papules and, when dry, the site is covered with small pieces of 50% salicylic acid plaster and tape. The process is repeated daily after bathing. After the lesions have become erythematous in 3-7 days, only the iodine solution is applied. Resolution has been reported in a mean of 26 days. Maceration and erosion can result. Tretinion 0.1% cream has been used in the treatment of MCV. It is applied twice daily to the lesions. Resolution was reported by day 11. Trace erythema at the site of prior lesions was a noted side effect. Tretinion 0.05% cream has also been used with success and decreased irritation. Another treatment option is the use of potassium hydroxide. In one study, an aqueous solution of 10% KOH was applied topically twice daily to all lesions with a swab. The treatment was discontinued when an inflammatory response or superficial ulcer became evident. Resolution occurred in a mean of 30 days. This treatment had some complications including hypertrophic scar formation and persistent or transitory hyper- and hypopigmentation. A subsequent study in pediatric patients recommended the use of 5% KOH and found it equally effective with many fewer side effects. The use of pulsed dye laser for the treatment of MC has also been documented with excellent results. The thera py was well tolerated, without scars or pigment anomalies. The lesions resolved without scarring at 2 weeks. Studies show 96%-99% of the lesions resolved with one treatment. The pulsed dye laser is quick and efficient, but its expense makes it less cost effective than other options. Imiquimod 5% cream has been used topically to treat MCV by inducing high levels of IFN-α and other cytokines locally. This potent immunomodulatory agent is well tolerated, although application site irritation is common. It has had no known systemic or toxic effects in children. It is applied to the area nightly for 4 weeks. Clearing can take up to 3 months. Cidofovir is a nucleoside analog that has potent antiviral properties. Several small studies and case reports describe the successful use of cidofovir applied topically or administered by intralesional injection in several virally induced cutaneous diseases. Cidofovir cream 3% has been used successfully to treat MCV in studies, with clear ing in 2-6 weeks. Its high cost, need for extemporaneous preparation, and carcinogenicity in some studies have limited its use. All of these treatments can be performed in a dermatologist''s office. If there are many growths, treatment sessions may be needed every 3 to 6 weeks until the growths disappear. Some discomfort is associated with these treatments. Very recent advances in the scientific understanding of medicinal plants suggest a much broader use of natural medicine in the process of eradicating molluscum and infectious viral diseases than science thought possible just ten years ago. Molluscum occurring anywhere on the body can be successfully eliminated with application of AntiMolluscum-Rx. This product is concentrated with naturally occurring monoterpene aldehydes which have tremendous antiviral effects against the molluscum virus, as demonstrated in published scientific studies. Plants commonly contain synergistic suites of phytoprotective chemicals which are oft en responsible for their medicinal uses as well. When treating molluscum, topical application of AntiMolluscum-Rx counters the infection rapidly utilizing the powerful forces of its monoterpenes. These micro particles provide the most rapid absorption; they enter cell membranes with incredible swiftness and have a direct antiviral effect against molluscum. This results in elimination of molluscum, often within several days. It therefore not only has a direct virucidal effect against molluscum but provides total systemic support. This is a potent yet safe anti-viral agent for topical use to eradicate molluscum infections. To learn how it quantifiably inhibits and kills the molluscum virus, resulting in fast elimination of molluscum, please go to http://www.naturespharma.org.