Molluscum contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection caused by a virus of the same name. This infection produces benign, raised bumps, or lesions, on the upper layers of your skin. The small bumps are usually painless and resolve without treatment, rarely leaving scars [1]. The virus can be more challenging to treat or cause more severe effects if you have a weakened immune system [1].
Symptoms of Molluscum contagiosum
The symptoms of molluscum contagiosum usually take between 2 and 7 weeks to show from the moment you acquire the virus [1]. The primary symptom is the appearance of small, shiny, and smooth lesions. These bumps can appear alone or in a patch of as many as 20 [1].
The bumps are typically very small, between 2 to 5 millimetres in diameter, or between the size of the head of a pin and the size of an eraser on the top of a pencil [1]. They are usually flesh-coloured, white, or pink, firm and shaped like a dome with a dent or dimple in the middle [1].
These lesions are filled with a central core of waxy material and are present anywhere except on the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet. In children, they are specifically found on the face, abdomen, torso, arms, and legs. In adults, they are found on the inner thigh, genitals, and stomach [1].
In some cases, the skin surrounding the lesions may show symptoms such as eczema, soreness, swelling, redness, and irritation. Scratching the area can worsen these symptoms and cause the lesions to rupture and bleed [2].
Herpes
Herpes is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of HSV: HSV-1, which typically causes oral herpes, and HSV-2, which is usually responsible for genital herpes. However, both types can cause symptoms in either the oral or genital areas. Many people with HSV may not know they have it, as they may have no or mild symptoms [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8].
Symptoms of Herpes
The most common symptom of a herpes outbreak is one or more clusters of small, round, painful sores that look like blisters or sometimes pimples filled with clear fluid. These blisters can appear at the point of infection. HSV-1 blisters usually form around or inside the mouth, while HSV-2 blisters form around your genitals, your anus, or your mouth if you've gotten the virus from oral sex with someone who has the virus [8].
Other symptoms of a herpes outbreak can include pain or itching around the genitals, tiny bumps or blisters around the genitals, anus or mouth, painful ulcers that form when blisters rupture and ooze or bleed, scabs that form as the ulcers heal, painful urination, and discharge from the urethra or vagina [6].
During the first outbreak, you may also experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes in the groin [4, 5, 6].
Molluscum Contagiosum vs Herpes: Treatment
Molluscum contagiosum (MC) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) are viral infections that can be contracted through skin-to-skin contact. They have different treatment approaches, and it's important to note that while treatments can help manage symptoms and speed up recovery, they do not cure the viruses themselves.
Treatment for Molluscum Contagiosum
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Treatment for Herpes
Antiviral medications such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir are commonly used for HSV infections. These medications can help reduce the severity and duration of outbreaks, prevent outbreaks from occurring, and reduce the risk of transmission [9]. Topical imiquimod has also been used for HSV infections [10].
It's essential to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment approach based on individual circumstances, including the severity of the condition, the patient's overall health, and personal preferences.
Molluscum Contagiosum vs Herpes: Prevention
Prevention strategies for both conditions are similar, given that they are both viral infections that can be transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact. These strategies mainly focus on minimizing direct contact with infected individuals and maintaining good personal hygiene.
Preventing Mollsucum contagiosum
For molluscum contagiosum, prevention involves avoiding direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. This includes not sharing personal items like towels, clothing, or water toys while swimming. It's also important to encourage regular hand washing and to keep the growths clean by washing them with soap and water regularly. If participating in group activities like swimming or wrestling, covering the growths with clothing or a watertight bandage can help prevent the spread of the virus [11].
In addition to these measures, avoiding touching the bumps is also recommended, as this can spread the virus. If you have molluscum contagiosum on or near your genitals, it's advised to avoid sexual contact until the bumps are treated and gone. When swimming, it's recommended to cover the bumps with a watertight bandage [12].
Preventing Herpes
For herpes, prevention also involves avoiding direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person,
especially during an outbreak. This includes avoiding sexual contact when active herpes sores are present. Using latex condoms can help reduce the risk of getting herpes, but they do not eliminate the risk, as herpes can be spread from skin areas not covered by condoms. It's also important to avoid sharing personal items that can come in contact with the virus, such as lip balm or razors.