Abstract
Molluscum contagiosum (mo-LUS-kum kun-tay-jee-OH-sum) is a fairly common skin infection caused by a virus. It causes round, firm, painless bumps ranging in size from a pinhead to a pencil eraser. If the bumps are scratched or injured, the infection can spread to nearby skin. Molluscum contagiosum also spreads through person-to-person contact and contact with infected objects.
Though most common in children, molluscum contagiosum can affect adults as well, particularly those with weakened immune systems. Adults with a healthy immune system can develop molluscum contagiosum from sexual activity with an infected partner.
Keywords
- Skin, Bumps , eruptions, papule, homoeopathy.
Introduction
Molluscum contagiosum is a common skin infection that results in raised, round, skin-colored bumps with a dent or dot at the top. These bumps can take on a pink color.
Left untreated, the bumps usually disappear in 6 months to 2 years.
Risk factors for molluscum contagiosum include:
- Being ages 1 to 10. This condition is most common in children.
- Having a weakened immune system. Some conditions and treatments can weaken the immune system. Examples are leukemia, HIV and cancer treatments.
- Having atopic dermatitis. The rash typical of atopic dermatitis creates an entry point for the virus that causes molluscum.
Symptoms
Molluscum contagiosum signs and symptoms include:
- Raised, round, skin-colored bumps
- Small bumps — typically under about 1/4 inch (smaller than 6 millimeters) in diameter
- Bumps with a small dent or dot at the top near the center
- Itchy, pink bumps
- Bumps on the face, trunk, arms or legs of children
- Bumps on the genitals, lower abdomen or inner thighs of adults if the infection was sexually transmitted
Causes
The virus that causes molluscum contagiosum spreads easily through:
- Skin-to-skin contact
- Contact with infected objects, such as towels, kickboards and wrestling mats
- Swimming in pools or hot tubs contaminated with the virus
- Sexual contact with an affected partner
- Scratching or rubbing the bumps, which spreads the virus to nearby skin
Complications
- The bumps and the skin around them may become inflamed. This is thought to be an immune system response to the infection. If scratched, these bumps can become infected and heal with scarring. If sores appear on the eyelids, pink eye (conjunctivitis) can develop.
Prevention
To help prevent the spread of the virus:
- Wash your hands. Keeping your hands clean can help prevent spreading the virus.
- Avoid touching the bumps. Shaving over the infected areas also can spread the virus.
- Don’t share or borrow personal items. These include clothing, towels, hairbrushes and other personal items.
- Avoid sexual contact. If you have molluscum contagiosum on or near your genitals, don’t have sex until the bumps are treated and gone.
- Cover the bumps. Cover the bumps with clothing when around others, to prevent direct contact. Leave the affected area open to the air when not around others, as this promotes healthy skin. When swimming, cover the bumps with a watertight bandage.
Case
Preliminary data –
Date – 31 October 2023
Name – Mast Om
Age – 12 yrs
Sex – Male
Religion – Hindu
Chief Complaint
Papule growth on face since – 1 year
- On right cheek , lip and forehead
- Gradually increased in size and numbers
- Mild itching
Past History – NAD
Family History
- NAD
Physical General –
- Diet – Mixed
- Appetite – Normal
- Desire – Non veg , bakery products , sweet , milk
- Aversion – Pastry
- Thirst – Thirst less
- Stool / Urine – NAD
- Sleep – Sound sleep, Salivation during sleep
- Thermally – HOT
Mental General –
This boy was born in a joint family. He was the first boy after 3 girls in the family so very much pampered and obstinate. He always dominates his elder sisters. He expresses his anger by shouting and screaming. He was a very playful child but a little lazy in washing his extremities and changing clothes after sports.
In school he was a very mild and obedient student. In school he never fights with anybody. He wants to keep his good boy image in front of the teacher.
Investigation :
- Often, the lesion is diagnosed clinically but can be confirmed by biopsy.
Differential Diagnosis :
- Warts
- Periungual fibromas
- Aggressive digital papillary adenocarcinoma
- Cutaneous horn
Final Clinical Diagnosis :
Molluscum contagiosum
Totality –
- Obstinate
- Dictatorial
- Washing bathing aversion to
- Right side
- Thirstless
- Thermally Hot
Miasm –
- Sycosis
Prescription :
- Lycopodium 30 single dose with placebo 4-4-4-4 for 15 days
| Follow up | Remedy selection | Image of follow up | |
| 31-10-2023 | First visit | Lycopodium 30 single dose.Sac lac N0 40 4 times / day for 15 days |  |
| 17-11-23 | No new growth | Lycopodium 30Sac Lac No 40 – 4 times / day for 15 days | |
| 04/12/2023 | Papule became flat | Sac Lac 4 pills 4 times/ days for 15 days | |
| 20/12/2023 | reduced in size | Sac Lac 4 pills / day for 15 days | |
| 6/1/2024 | Eruptions disappear | Sac Lac for 15 days |  |
Conclusion –
Molluscum Contagiosum is said to disappear on its own within a period of year but in many patients it persists ever after a year instead increasing gradually. With the similimum Homoeopathic medicine it disappears speedily within 3-4 months without leaving any scar.
Case No 2
Name of patient – Miss Pari
Age / Sex – 7 yrs / female
Chief Complaints –
Papule growth on face since 10 months
Papule on both cheek , around mouth on nose
More on left side of face
Gradually increasing in size and number
No pain no itching
Recurrent rhinitis since 2 years
Sneezing followed by watery coryza
< morning
< change in weather
< cold food / drinks
Past History – NAD
Family history – NAD
Personal History –
Diet – Mixed
Appetite – Normal
Desire – Spicy , sweet
Aversion – Milk
Thirst – Thirsty
Tongue – Clean
Stool / Urine – NAD
Perspiration – mostly on head
Sleep – Sound
Thermal – HOT
Mind –
This girl was very obstinate and irritable. She had an elder brother with whom she is always quarrelling. At school she was very restless and playful and had a tit for tat attitude. She was more on ground than class or home. She was aversion to washing extremities after playing and even to brushing teeth.
While asking questions she didn’t give attention and was busy herself but she was bold while insisting her answers abruptly.
Final Clinical Diagnosis :
Molluscum contagiosum
Totality –
- Obstinate – children in
- Bathing / washing aversion to
- Revengeful
- Playful
- Milk aversion to
- Change in weather aggravates
Remedy selected
- Sulphur 30
My first perception was Sulphur 30 but there was no improvement after two follow-up’s. That is after one month so again I studied the case and prescribed Tubercullinum 200 and after that dose she improved speedily. Within the next 3 months it disappeared completely.
Conclusion – Molluscum contagiosum can be completely cured with homoeopathic medicine, but this case clearly show that it is possible only with exactly simillimum medicine.
Author
Dr Shamprasad Pawase
MD ( Materia Medica )
HOD ( Physiology Dept )
VYCH medical Collage, Kolhapur.
