what is curettage treatment for molluscum contagiosum

by Mr. Luis Paucek III Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Curettage: During this treatment, your dermatologist uses a medical device called a curette to remove the molluscum bumps from the skin. In skilled hands, this is a simple and effective treatment that causes little or no bleeding.

What are the treatment options for the Molloscum contagiosum?

Physical removal of lesions may include cryotherapy (freezing the lesion with liquid nitrogen), curettage (the piercing of the core and scraping of caseous or cheesy material), and laser therapy.

Can molluscum be surgically removed?

Individual lesions may be removed by scraping or freezing the lesion. The surgical removal of individual lesions may result in scarring. Medications applied on the skin (topical), such as those used to remove warts, may be helpful in removal of lesions.Oct 10, 2019

How long does molluscum contagiosum last after cryotherapy?

Treatments. Molluscum contagiosum usually goes away on its own between six and 12 months. Some outbreaks can last as long as three years.

How long does cryotherapy take to work on molluscum?

In about 2 to 3 weeks, the blister will dry up and peel off. This will remove all or part of the wart or molluscum.Mar 30, 2020

What happens if molluscum contagiosum is left untreated?

Molluscum contagiosum is a mild, harmless viral skin infection. The virus is spread through skin-to-skin contact and mainly by sexual activity in adults. It appears on the skin surface as a small, raised, round, pearly lump. If left untreated the virus will eventually go away.

Is molluscum contagiosum a form of HPV?

Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a virus in the poxvirus family. This is different from the human papilloma virus (HPV) family that causes warts, but these two conditions are commonly discussed together because they are contagious viral diseases that cause skin lesions.Sep 5, 2019

How do dermatologists remove molluscum?

Cryotherapy: Your dermatologist applies an extremely cold substance to each molluscum bump. This extreme cold can effectively destroy the bumps. Because new molluscum can form, you will need to return for treatment every 2 to 3 weeks until the bumps clear.

Do dermatologists treat molluscum?

If the molluscum is on the face or other sensitive area, your dermatologist may prescribe a topical medication to use at home to treat the bumps. In-office treatment often involves cryotherapy (freezing individual lesions with liquid nitrogen) or cantharidin (a painless substance used to coat the lesion).

Why does molluscum keep coming back?

Molluscum contagiosum is not like herpes viruses which can remain dormant (“sleeping”) in your body for long periods of time and then reappear. If you get new molluscum contagiosum lesions after you are cured, it means you have come in contact with an infected person or object again.

Can molluscum spread after cryotherapy?

At Clinic 275, molluscum contagiosum is treated by cryotherapy (freezing) with liquid nitrogen. After treatment, the lumps may become irritated, itchy or sore. Bathing in salt water may help relieve these symptoms. Do not scratch any irritated areas after treatment, as this may spread the infection.

How effective is MolluDab?

MolluDab^® is clinically proven to treat molluscum contagiosum in 1 to 4 weeks. In clinical studies, 5% potassium hydroxide (i.e. MolluDab^®) is proven to be as effective as some other treatments^*, but with less skin irritation. MolluDab^® is ideal to treat molluscum contagiosum at home.

How do you use MolluDab?

Applying MolluDab^® to the molluscum bumps

Dab all the molluscum bumps with the flat side of the spatula. After applying to 1 – 3 bumps, wet the spatula with MolluDab^® again. Allow the solution to dry on the bumps. Apply MolluDab^® twice daily (morning and evening).

How to treat molluscum?

When your dermatologist uses cantharidin (beetle juice) to treat molluscum, you need to wash it off at home with soap and water to prevent a serious skin irritation. When applied by a dermatologist, this is a safe and effective treatment for molluscum.

What is the best treatment for molluscum bumps?

Curettage: During this treatment, your dermatologist uses a medical device called a curette to remove the molluscum bumps from the skin. In skilled hands, this is a simple and effective treatment that causes little or no bleeding.

What is molluscum in HIV?

A chronic skin condition, such as eczema. Molluscum in the genital area. A weakened immune system and numerous bumps. Extremely bothersome molluscum. Antiretroviral treatment can clear molluscum in HIV-positive patients: If someone is HIV-positive, the bumps can grow large and cover large areas of skin.

How often do you need to return to a molluscum clinic?

Because new molluscum can form, you will need to return for treatment every 2 to 3 weeks until the bumps clear. Cryotherapy can be painful, so it’s not recommended for young children. Due to the pain, it’s seldom used to treat patients who have many molluscum bumps.

How long does it take for molluscum to clear?

For most people the skin will clear without treatment, usually within 18 months. A few people continue to have bumps for longer. Treating molluscum may clear the skin more quickly; however, the bumps can return after treatment. It’s also possible to pick up the virus again, which can cause new bumps.

What doctor can tell you if you have molluscum?

If you have molluscum, your dermatologist can tell you whether treatment is recommended.

What is the best medicine for eczema?

Cimetidine: This medication is used to treat ulcers and conditions that cause the stomach to produce too much acid, such as heartburn. It may also be a treatment option for a patient who has severe eczema (atopic dermatitis) and molluscum that covers most of the body.

How long does it take for Molluscum Contagiosum to go away?

Generally speaking, Molluscum Contagiosum can take from 6-12 months to go away if left untreated, however, in some cases it can take up to 4 years to heal (according to the CDC). To improve the skin’s appearance and, more importantly, prevent the virus from spreading, many patients try to treat it. Treatments include:

What is curettage used for?

A curette is a medical instrument used for scrapping tissue. The process can be very painful, as the curette is extremely sharp and requires a great deal of pressure on the skin to be successful. While the results are immediate, it is usually only used for patients with a very small number of bumps. This method can cause scarring and/or discoloration.

How long does it take for molluscum contagiosum to clear up?

Treatment for molluscum contagiosum (MC) is not routinely recommended because most cases clear up on their own in around 6 to 18 months. If left alone, MC does not tend to result in scarring or cause any symptoms other than spots. Squeezing or scratching the spots can cause pain and bleeding and may increase the chances of scarring.

How to treat MC?

Potassium hydroxide. Potassium hydroxide is a medicine available in liquid form that can improve MC by breaking down the skin cells infected by the virus, allowing the immune system to tackle it. The liquid is applied twice a day on each spot.

How long does it take for imiquimod to work?

It may take several weeks of treatment before you notice an improvement. Common side effects of imiquimod include: 1 hard and flaky skin 2 redness and swelling of the skin 3 a burning or itching sensation after applying the cream 4 headache

What is the cream used for a large cluster of spots?

Imiquimod is a cream that can be used to treat larger spots or large clusters of spots.

How long does it take for a cream to remove a spot?

You apply the cream to the spots, then wash it off after 6-10 hours. This should be done 3 times a week.

What is the best treatment for MC?

There are a number of topical treatments (creams, lotions and ointments) that can be used to treat MC, although there's not enough evidence to know if any particular treatment is more effective than the others.

How long does it take for a weakened immune system to clear?

Treatment is also be recommended for people with weakened immune systems, as the condition can take several years to clear in these cases.

How long does it take for Molluscum contagiosum to get better?

Molluscum contagiosum usually gets better without treatment in six to 12 months. However, it's possible to continue developing bumps for up to five years. Once all of your bumps are gone, you're no longer contagious.

How to diagnose molluscum contagiosum?

Diagnosis. Your doctor usually can diagnose molluscum contagiosum just by looking at it. If there's any doubt, he or she may take skin scrapings from the infected area and view them under a microscope.

What is the name of the medicine that lifts off bumps?

A medicine that causes blisters (cantharidin), which lift off the bumps

Can molluscum contagiosum be removed?

Doctors may recommend that the lesions be removed before they disappear on their own, particularly in adults, because they are so contagious. Treatments for molluscum contagiosum can be painful, so an anesthetic might be administered beforehand to lessen discomfort. Sometimes a combination of treatments may be used.

How to treat molluscum contagiosum?

What’s the treatment for molluscum contagiosum? If you have molluscum contagiosum, a doctor can remove the growths by freezing, draining, or using a laser to remove them. They can also give you a prescription for a medicine cream that you’ll apply at home.

How long does it take for molluscum contagiosum to go away?

Some people choose not to treat the growths because molluscum contagiosum can go away on its own. But left untreated, it takes 6 months to 5 years for all the growths to go away. In that time, you can spread the virus to other parts of your body or other people.

What does molluscum contagiosum look like?

Molluscum contagiosum is a virus that affects your skin. It may look like small, waxy, round growths. If you get molluscum contagiosum, your doctor or nurse will treat you in their office or give you medicine to use at home. Here are some ways to make treatment easier: Keep the area clean.

How to treat growths on skin?

If you treat your growths with medicine or have them removed by your doctor, it’s important to take good care of your skin afterward. Keep the area clean. Use a different towel for drying other parts of your body after a shower or a bath. Don't scratch the area you got treated.

How to treat a swollen ear?

Wash your hands after touching the area that was treated. Avoid having sex if it’s uncomfortable. Ice packs and taking a pain reliever like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help with any pain or discomfort you may have.

Can you scratch a treated area?

Don't scratch the area that’s been treated.

Can you get bumps again from molluscum contagiosum?

But you can get bumps again if you get another molluscum contagiosum infection in the future .