Molluscum Contagiosum In Babies – Causes, Symptoms & Treatments
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Does your baby have pus filled bumps on the neck, back, face and other parts of the body? Has your pediatrician diagnosed your baby with molluscum contagiosum, and are you worried about it? Well, don’t be! Just, read our post below. Here, we look at molluscum contagiosum in babies, and how it can affect your baby.
What Is Molluscum Contagiosum?
Molluscum contagiosum is a contagious skin condition, which occurs due to an infection by the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV). The rashes consist of bumps that are pink or white in color with a smooth exterior and a slight indentation in the center.
Molluscum contagiosum commonly occurs in children aged 1 to 12 years, but it can also occur in adults. The infection doesn’t cause any pain, although the lesions may become itchy or swollen. The infection clears without any medical intervention, and it takes a few months or in some cases; within a few years [1].
Causes Of Molluscum Contagiosum In Babies:
The MCV is a type of poxvirus that spreads infection through infected people and contaminated objects. Molluscum contagiosum can spread through contaminated towels, clothing, faucets and sexual contact. It can also spread through water in and around swimming pools and saunas.
In babies, molluscum contagiosum can occur through the following ways:
- Direct skin contact with an infected person.
- Contact with contaminated objects such as towels, sheets, bathing sponges, and toys [2].
[ Read: Common Baby Skin Allergies ]
Symptoms Of Molluscum Contagiosum In Babies:
The symptoms of molluscum contagiosum are typified by the appearance of skin or flesh-colored bumps that can also be pink or white. Other symptoms include:
- The bumps are round with a pit in the center and can be around 2 mm to 5 mm in size.
- These lesions can be isolated or appear in clusters.
- The mollusca can number up to 20, or there may be just one bump or a few on the body.
- The bumps are filled with pus that makes the lesions look like pearls.
- Babies and older kids usually have bumps on their neck, back, face, arms, armpits, stomach, legs and sometimes also around the groin area [3].
[ Read: Symptoms Of Hives In Babies ]
Diagnosing Molluscum Contagiosum In Babies:
Doctors typically diagnose molluscum contagiosum in infants by observing the symptoms. There is no test for the infection and the characteristics lesions are the only way to diagnose the infection. In some rare cases, doctors may conduct a biopsy [4].
Treating Molluscum Contagiosum In Babies:
The treatment plan for adults with molluscum contagiosum can include removal of lesions through surgical processes such as cryotherapy or laser therapy. But the same is not recommended for molluscum contagiosum baby.
For babies, the treatment plan may include preventing the spread of lesions, which may occur due to excessive itching or rubbing the infected area.
- Your child’s doctor may recommend the use of an ointment depending on the severity of the condition. Most often, the infection is left to clear by itself [5].
- Doctors may recommend oral therapy for children if the lesions are large in numbers or have become swollen. Oral therapy includes the use of oral cimetidine on the lesions, which may be helpful in preventing scarring and is a painless treatment option for molluscum contagiosum [6].
[ Read: Causes Of Shingles In Babies ]
Risk Factors Of Molluscum Contagiosum In Babies:
Babies who suffer from atopic dermatitis or those who have a weak immune system are more susceptible to molluscum contagiosum. Children living in crowded conditions are also at a greater risk of contracting the MCV infection [7].
Preventing Molluscum Contagiosum In Babies:
To prevent babies from contracting molluscum contagiosum, it is best for infected family members to stay away from their care. Also, keep towels, bedding and bathing sponges for your baby separate from the rest of the family. If your baby’s toys have been handled by an infected person, discard them immediately [8].
Care For Molluscum Contagiosum In Babies:
Keep your baby’s lesions covered with a clean sheet. Take care not to touch infected areas with bare hands. Keep your hands clean and make sure your baby doesn’t scratch the bumps [9].
Molluscum contagiosum rarely occurs in infants but is quite common in children over the age of one. It is not a life-threatening infection, but parents must take precautions in managing the condition well.
[ Read: Symptoms Of Chickenpox In Babies ]
Did your baby suffer from molluscum contagiosum? What line of treatment did the doctor recommend? Please share your experiences with us here.
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