Molluscum contagiosum

[Milkwagon]

My 2.5 lo has this and I was wondering if anyone else has experience? How long did its last? I also have a 6mth old baby and worried it could be caught - should they stop sharing baths? They have their own towels. I also take my lo swimming every week - is this still ok? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

From the NHS site for those afraid of MC: The Return, "MC can affect a person on more than one occasion, but this is uncommon."

Mine hsve all had it. With my eldest I left it and it went of its own accord after about a year. With my middle one nothing helped so I used a sterilised needle to pop out the core of the largest ones and they all went never to return and I have just done the same with my youngest. Not advisable perhaps but effective.

DD had it at least 3 times - and the only one of my children to have it at all.

Mine all had it, DD1 was the worst because it made her eczema flare up, DD2 and DS both got spectacular boils but weren't bothered by them. Dr said it would clear up within 18 months and it did - almost disappeared overnight when the time came, in fact.

None of them had scarring btw

My dd had is and has pox type scars on her groin

These and hand foot & mouth were a huge shock to me.
Had never heard of them.

Awful awful viruses

Both my DC had it, DC1 aged about 9, mainly on torso and arm. Unpleasant to look at but he continued swimming lessons and no one batted an eyelid. It lasted about 18mths and he has a few small round scars.

We thought DS2 has escaped but he got it almost as DS1s cleared up ( he was about 6). Again it took 18mths to go and he has some small round scars despite never touching them.

Ds2 had it for 18 months. We used to dab calamine lotion on the fluid filled spots to dry them up. Only on the spots though using a cotton bud as calamine can be very drying.

Then one day, all the spots were gone but a big red rash appeared on his feet. Then that was gone in 48 hours.

Ds3 then got it too but only for a month before it vanished.

It's a strange affliction!

Has anyone tried Molludab for this horrible virus?

We started this a few days ago. I think it's clearing them up...

There's a small thread here [[http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childrens_health/2375704-Molludab-for-molluscum]]

Yes, we used Molludab. It worked after 2 months, in both cases.

I think I might try molludab - does it sting when applied?

Not initially Milkwagon, but once the spot goes pink it will sting when applied.

The directions say to quit applying once they turn red/pink, but I persisted. I did it every night after bath and applied a tiny dot to every bump I could find. I had to let my 4 year old suck on a candy while I did it. It was only with that quid pro quo that I could get cooperation.

After 6 weeks, I was wondering if there was any point, and then they pretty much went away overnight. Both children had it and both children needed about 8 weeks worth of application before they went away. I believe it works by aggravating the spots so that the immune system notices that they are there and sets to work at attacking them. They are considered harmless and some people choose to do nothing. There have been children in my neighbourhood who have had this for nearly 3 years. I am not that laid back!

I wonder if there's any difference in result between chemical aggravation of the spots and physical aggravation.

For people going the rough towelling route, are we supposed to try and get a core out, or is just making them bleed enough?

My GP was also a consultant dermatologist. He said that the ideal would be to get all the core out if a child could stand you squeezing them, but that you would have to be very careful with the core as it contained the virus which spreads so very easily.

He was of the opinion to just let them run their course, this was also his opinion on warts and verrucas. He knew Molludab works, but wouldn't proscribe it because it is expensive (£25 bottle) and he didn't have the budget for things that he considered only a minor inconvenience. Luckily our local pharmacy sells Molludab over the counter. Although Boots won't!

Thanks for that. DD definitely wouldn't cope with the squeezing, so I'll consider Molludab.

You need to get the core out if possible - fine with DD, no way I could with DS

Aargh. On the plus side, the ones that bled yesterday now seem to have gone flat and scabby. Urgh.

18 months almost to the day, he went on a hot sunny holiday with them and came back with none.

My dd has had this on the back of her thigh. only one largish one but lots of little ones. I didn't know what it was so everyone shared towels, baths etc and no one else has caught it. However at the park the other day she came over with blood on her and the little ones had burst and so far it looks like they are disappearing! More slides to get rid of the biggie!!

My lovely pharmacist is ordering it in for me to collect tomorrow. Boots wouldn't even help me.

Well my DD won't let me anywhere near her with the Molludab. I noticed tonight most of the lesions are red & angry looking - anyone know if this is normal? Thanks.

Use calamine lotion dabbed on instead.

My dd had this for a year. Mainly on her chest, back and elbows. The spots came off when they were ready, usually after a soak in a warm bath, and a rough towel dry. Bloody annoying when she had it, looked awful when she wore strappy tops in summer. She is clear now though, and no scarring thank goodness.

Red and angry is what you want Milkwagon. When they get to this point, your DD's immune system should notice that they are there and start fighting them.

That's great to hear - hope the worst will start to go in that case.