Advice from David about treating Eczema associated with Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum Contagiosum is a common viral disease of childhood. Nothing makes it go away any faster than the body which will take time to develop immunity but the duration of the problem is 3 to 12 months (usually 6 to 12months). Treatment is directed at keeping the associated eczema under control. The Molluscum spots are like small pimple with clear centres. Often the skin surrounding the area is affected with eczema to a worse degree than the case shown in this picture.

YOUR QUESTIONS:
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1. After speaking with Dr Neil Davies he recommended to contact you, do you have any suggestions for the treatment of Molluscum Contagiosum, in a six and eight year old?

   Mollucusum Contagiosum and the associated eczema treatment is basically supportive as Molluscum is a viral infection which the body will eventually develop an immunity to. Advise the parents the molluscum papules will move from one area of the body to another and will spontaneously disappear in 3 to 12 months. The eczema that accompanies the papules is an immune response and can be anywhere from a mild rough skin type eczema to a full blown, very itchy excema. Our 'Soothing Lavender Facial Balm for Infants' is useful to manage the eczema and itching but no treatment will shorten the course of the complaint. (being viral in nature) ...MORE

2. We keep him lubricated up, especially on his legs as he seems to get a rash with some large bumps similar to adult pimples that cause him to scratch. He is 2 years old. He could be ones of those suffering from Eczema. We have taken him to the doctor before when he started getting large areas of a cake like crash on most of his body. They told us to keep him moisturized and this should keep it under control. I have read about your creams and the great success people have had and I am hoping that one of them would be a better fit for keep him moisturized as well as any rash at bay.

   I suspect from your pimple description he may have a common child virus called molluscum. I have attached a picture of what the pimples (Molluscum spots) look like although they are usually smaller but have characteristic pearly centers. Usually around them is an area of red eczema. If you can email me a clear image of the affected area I can confirm that. If it is molluscum it will clear up in 3 to 12 months and moisturizing with our Lavender Balm will help. Molluscum will move about the body too. It will affect different areas over time. Cortisone suppresses the immune system and will make molluscum worse. If taking him into a swimming pool apply the balm to the affected areas to protect them from irritating pool chemicals. Apply the Balm as needed to control the symptoms and he will develop immunity with time. If it is ordinary eczema then application on the Lavender Balm 4-6 times a day should clear it up quickly. ...MORE

3. We live in Alaska and my daughter has the hard braille-like bumps on her cheeks. You suggested that it is possibly molluscum. They tend to show up more obviously when she has been out in the cold. They are not noticeably dry but not at all oily either. I was wondering if your face balm would be worth a try. Also, I tend to have the same hard - type bumps solely on the backs of my upper arms. Finally, my 7 year old son gets very dry skin on his elbows and knees. He has always had very sensitive, allergic reactions. We have been given some prescription steroid creams for eczema in the past, but I hesitate to use them as his case is always relatively mild and does not worsen. His skin gets dry easily during cold weather.

   I remember you well as it is a very tough call as to whether they are Milia or Molluscum Contagiosum. Either way they are treatable quite simply. Extracting the centers is the best way to eliminate the existing ones and this will not cause scarring. Ensure the needle is sterile by heating in a gas flame first and allowing to cool, remove the centre and apply our hypoallergenic face balm.

   Should your daughter's problem be Molluscum Contagiosum, numbers of new bumps may occur in different areas, this is the main difference to Milia. The skin will still be dry and may worsen and at some stage get a little eczema. Continue to treat as above and it will eventually clear.

   If it is Milia this won't happen, so either way you have the correct information to treat it. With either condition removal of the cores of the lumps will allow them to heal. For dry skin on the elbows and knees apply the balm morning and night. In general before going outside the balm should be applied for it's protective effect against dryness and is also very effective on the lips to prevent dryness. ...MORE

If it is molluscum it will clear up in 3 to 12 months and moisturizing with our Lavender Balm will help. Molluscum will move about the body too. It will affect different areas over time. Cortisone suppresses the immune system and will make molluscum worse. If taking him into a swimming pool apply the balm to the affected areas to protect them from irritating pool chemicals. Dry him afterward and reapply. Apply as needed to control the symptoms and he will develop immunity with time.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Arcady Turczynowicz 
To: David Hosking
Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2004 10:53 PM
Subject: treatment for Molluscm Contagiosum


Dear David,
 
After speaking with Dr Neil Davies he recommended to contact you, 
do you have any suggestions for the treatment of Molluscum Contagiosum, 
in a six and eight year old?
 
Thank you
 
Yours Sincerely
 
Arcady Turczynowicz
Chiropractor 

Mollucusum Contagiosum and the associated eczema.

Treatment is basically supportive as Molluscum is a viral infection which the body will eventually develop an immunity to.

Advise the parents the molluscum papules will move from one area of the body to another and will spontaneously disappear in 3 to 12 months. The eczema that accompanies the papules is an immune response and can be anywhere from a mild rough skin type eczema to a full blown, very itchy excema.

The 'Soothing Lavender Facial Balm for Infants' that I make is useful to manage the eczema and itching but no treatment will shorten the course of the complaint. (being viral in nature) Hydrocortisone is occasionally used with little effect.

Good supportive skin care works best as the problem will usually take quite a while to clear up depending on how long they have had it for prior to you seeing them.

I often find that just before the molluscum disappears the child may have a fever for about a day accompanied by a flare up of eczema then the molluscum completely is eliminated by the body.

So it is simply a case of using no soap, use bath oils and treat the eczema with a protective moisturiser such as our 'Soothing Lavender Facial Balm for Infants'.

For severe, raw eczema the wound healing product 'Solu-Gel' is soothing and prevents scarring (It is basically a gel form of normal saline which provides an optimum wound healing environment.) It is available in Pharmacies and some supermarkets. You apply it twice a day to the area. Before the next application you wash off the dried gel with warm water and dry the skin. Solu-gel works very well if you feel the eczema is bad enough to possibly cause scarring.

Our Soothing Lavender Facial Balm is EASIER to use LONG TERM for the Mild to Moderate Excema which is more common.

Reassurance that time (up to 12 months worse case) will eliminate the problem and that it is a common problem helps a lot. There is no need to exclude the child from any form of activity. Hope this helps !!

Kind Regards,
David Hosking.

Either way they are treatable quite simply. Extracting the centers is the best way to eliminate the existing ones and this will not cause scarring. Ensure the needle is sterile by heating in a gas flame first and allowing to cool, remove the centre and apply our Hypoallergenic Face Balm.

For heat rash prevention for your son and prevention of further bumps for you and your daughter the product "Cetaphil wash" is very good and hopefully is available at your local pharmacy. If you have difficulty obtaining it let me know and we can add that to your order. To use you wet the skin, apply the wash, use a face washer or flannel with a reasonably textured to rough surface and wash off using enough pressure to cleanse the skin with the idea of unclogging the pores without using too much force. On your arms a loofah or similar bath sponge may be more suitable. It is much easier to do than to describe !

Should your daughter's problem be molluscum, numbers of new bumps may occur in different areas, this is the main difference to Milia. The skin will still be dry and may worsen and at some stage get a little eczema. Continue to treat as above and it will eventually clear.

The rosacea cream is not suitable for these conditions and the Hypoallergenic balm in conjunction with the Cetaphil wash should be all you need for everyone. With your son's allergies, patch test a little balm on the skin on the inside of the elbow for 3 days, there should be no reaction other than the skin becoming softer, then you can use it without problems. Even if a product is hypoallergenic, always patch test it on him first just in case. I think you will be very happy with the balm as it is ideal for dry climates. Applying it at night before bed allows it to penetrate the skin so the skin is not oily the next day when using it to prevent skin dryness in general. Hope this helps,