Methods Of Treating And Preventing Molluscum Contagiosum

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is a treatment used to remove molluscum contagiosum bumps by freezing them off. This is usually done by spraying liquid nitrogen, an extremely cold substance, onto the affected area. Before the procedure, patients may need to remove makeup from the area, and they may need to stop using lotions or powders a few days before treatment. Patients normally do not need any type of anesthesia for the procedure, and the freezing is done in segments lasting less than thirty seconds each. Shortly after the procedure, patients may notice the affected area turns red or begins to blister. This is considered entirely normal, and patients should not disturb any blisters that form. Clear discharge from the affected area may also occur, and this is considered normal. Generally, the area will heal in around ten days, and the treatment normally leaves no scars. Dermatologists may advise patients to wash the treated area with soap and water at least once a day, and petroleum jelly may be applied if a scab forms. Areas with active discharge will need to be covered with a bandage.

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Laser Therapy

Laser therapy can be a particularly effective treatment for molluscum contagiosum, especially for individuals who have compromised immune systems. Individuals with weakened immune systems, including those with cancer, may develop more than one hundred bumps from molluscum contagiosum. Unlike other therapies, laser treatment can cover a large surface area in a short amount of time and provide faster and more complete relief for complex cases. It is especially beneficial for the treatment of infections involving the genital area. For these types of infections, dermatologists typically use the pulsed dye laser. In one study of forty-three patients, pulsed dye laser treatment completely resolved all of the bumps, and thirty-five percent of the treated patients had no new bumps after two laser sessions. There were no complications associated with the use of the laser, and no anesthetic was needed. Laser treatment should always be performed by licensed personnel, and protective eyewear should be worn by both patients and staff during treatment sessions.

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