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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Children's health

Molluscum Contagiosum

34 replies

MrsTiddlyWinks1 · 18/04/2015 19:32

Just been told 2 yo DS has this. They affect his neck, up to his jawline. The practice nurse said they're not contagious, will take weeks/months/years to go and that there is no treatment. She printed up an info booklet for me to read and now I'm confused as it says it IS contagious! DS may have picked it up from infected toys at nursery/playgroup, but most people have natural immunity to the virus and don't pick it up, which could explain why rest.of the family haven't got it.

Can anyone she'd more light on this for me please? Am feeling very confused (and worried!)

OP posts:

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Branleuse · 18/04/2015 19:38

it IS contagious

They often respond very very well to the homeopathic remedy thuja 30c

I would take one or two a day for a week if youre open minded about homeopathy.

PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 18/04/2015 19:39

Yes, it is contagious. My three all have it -caught from the middle one. It's nasty, but very little you can do.

I have heard a few drops of tea tree in the bath can help, and I figure that isn't going to hurt so I'm trying it (don't use neat oil on the skin)

PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 18/04/2015 19:40

But, although contagious, you are not expected to keep children home/away from activities like swimming, etc.

ExitStageLeft · 18/04/2015 19:42

My DS has this at the moment, all round his bits poor thing. SIL had very rapid improvements with Epsom salt baths, and tea tree on a ear bud dabbed on to them and then iodine. Gone within 2 weeks.

tippytappywriter · 18/04/2015 19:45

My dd had it for a few years and I got it too. The rest of the family did not. She had it on her back and it was very bad after about 2 years and then disappeared really quickly never to return. I had some spots under my arm that would come and go. Then they too disappeared. Don't worry. It may be annoying but not harmful.

ifyoujustsmile · 18/04/2015 19:49

I had them as a child and have vivid (horrific) memories of a nurse popping them with a plastic needle dipped in iodine. My ds had them a year ago for months, I popped Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream on them and they disappeared in a couple of weeks. This may have been when they were going to disappear on their own though.
Advice is : No direct skin contact or sharing towels etc for the duration. Cover when swimming if possible - the little blisters burst eventually, the stuff inside spreads infection so try to keep clean. Nothing to worry about, they will vanish eventually

MrsTiddlyWinks1 · 19/04/2015 14:13

Thank you for your replies. I'm definitely going to try the thuja 30c. I've just been googling it and it has been well tried for molluscum. I just need to clarify how to give it, I'm not happy about giving a 2 yo tablets, unless I can crush them but I don't think he'll be compliant after the first dose. Would a topical ointment of thuja work just as well?

So if it IS contagious, then I shouldn't be telling people this is what he has, should I?

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Branleuse · 19/04/2015 14:24

the homeopathic tablets are to dissolve under the tongue. Theyre slightly sweet.

Branleuse · 19/04/2015 14:25

or you can get it in liquid form, but that doesnt taste good.

MrsTiddlyWinks1 · 19/04/2015 14:36

Oo oo oo there's a treatment called Molludab, just found it. It's a topical solution that costs almost Â£25 over the counter. I'm going to talk to my GP tomorrow and see if they will prescribe it.

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Millionairerow · 19/04/2015 15:20

I hear that it takes about 18 months for lo to build up immunity so you can't keep children way from others for that length of time. Two of my kids have it - one near her bum (!) and back of leg and the other under his arm and down his chest. Just have to ride it out but loads of kids have it.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 19/04/2015 15:28

I think DS2 caught it off the class bear! He had them on his torso and a coupleon his neck which were noticeable but they did go after a few months (6?). Can't remmeber exactly how long he had them but they just all seemed to come to a head then sort of scab over/dried up and just went. I don't remember putting anything on them except a dab of sudocrem when one of them caughton something and bled.

I was worried that he would have them a few years as they were a bit unsighty but looking back it wast that long to put up with them.

I didn't change his activities as there was no knowing how long he might have them but the rest of the family didn't get them anyway (I did use a separate towel for him)

CurlyhairedAssassin · 19/04/2015 15:33

By the way, I think the practice nurse was misinformed - the clue is in the name "contagiosum"!!!

Another nurse (BIL actually) once told me that ringworm was caused by a little worm. I nearly laughed - how come I (medically untrained) knew it was a fungus and he with his training thought it was an actual worm?!

I do sometimes wonder where nurses get their info from.

Millionairerow · 19/04/2015 17:05

Yes in the olden days, they apparently used to prick them with a needle And induce an immune reaction to try toget rid of them (my FIL is an ex GP). Now the advice is to jus leave them!

imip · 19/04/2015 17:12

Bane of my existence! I have 4dcs and they've had them for around six years! I have on occasion squeezed them when they are big. Dd2 had big infected ones (I left them as per the advice) and they scarred on her neck.

I e read that if you have eczema , it lasts for longer. Dc3 has had it for about 2-3 yrs now, and at 5 still has them, and dc4, 3, has had it for a few months....

JaniceJoplin · 19/04/2015 17:15

My 2 yo has these. I was given the same advice. There were initially about 5 or 6 on her arm, now they have spread to various spots on her tummy and now her knees. The initial ones took about 6 months to go, but they are growing exponentially. I think the GP advice was terrible. Now when I see a new one I just squash it between my nails. My older child got them too and I straight away attacked it with Bazuka which did the job but irritated her skin massively. I am considering another GP trip for my younger child and just telling them that I am not going to leave them so I want advice on what to use on them.

clareth · 19/04/2015 17:16

My DD had this, I tried thuja 30 and also diluted apple cider vinegar, I read up about it a fair bit as she sadly had it for nearly 2 years and I was desperate to get rid of it!

I came to the conclusion that really there's nothing that will make them go, it really is a case of the child's immunity finally kicking in and getting rid of the little buggers.

So don't spend too much on a 'miracle' treatment...it might be a waste of money, but they will go eventually on their own.

plannedshock · 19/04/2015 18:31

My dd has these, she's had them for about 18mtgs and they just seem to be getting worse and worse I will try anything!

Lizsmum · 19/04/2015 19:37

Ask to be referred to a dermatologist. My DD had them years ago, had them cauterised. There was no scarring and no recurrence.

Somebodystolemyname · 19/04/2015 19:43

They are contagious but harmless. Main problem is they can get infected or cause a type of eczema around the spots. Two of my sons had it last year, I also got one spot (I'm told this is unusual for adults to get it). DS 2 had one of his spots squeezed by his childminder - I'm not sure why she took it upon herself but she did and actually it triggered the immune response and it cleared them all up within 4 weeks. My eldest ds got an infection when one of his burst - he had antibiotics and it cleared up after that. Mine seemed to come to a 'head' - I squeezed it, it burst and then went after two weeks. So it seems bursting them does seen to work but I don't think it's recommended because of the risk of infection.

MrsTiddlyWinks1 · 20/04/2015 14:38

Yeah I'm a bit reluctant to squeeze them as I'm worried about scarring and infection. Plus my 2yo won't understand why I'm hurting him.

I spoke to my GP about prescribing MolluDab and he said no as it isn't recognised by the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group as yet but said I can purchase over the counter.

Shall I purchase and do regular reports on progress?

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Finlaggan · 20/04/2015 14:46

Molludab worked for my two. My daughter had about 50 spots on her thighs, arms and tummy. DS has about 8 spots which he caught from his sister.

There doesn't appear to be any scarring. DD said it stung a bit as the application went on, I only applied once a day. If the skin looked in any way broken I don't apply as I'm sure it would be very painful.

It took two courses to work for DD.

Good luck!

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MrsTiddlyWinks1 · 20/04/2015 21:17

Thanks everyone. I have ordered Molludab from Amazon at Â£17 so cheaper than anywhere else. Will let you all know how we get on in a week or so xx

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MrsTiddlyWinks1 · 21/04/2015 23:11

Was I wrong to buy an over the counter medication from Amazon? It's not going to be a fake product is it? Panicking suddenly!

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KatoPotato · 21/04/2015 23:26

We popped the 'queen' on ds and removed the wee pearl inside. It has got red and sore already so we did it while he was sleeping! The rest disappeared shortly after that.

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