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Original poster

Molluscum contagiosum

35 replies

Dandy008 · 28/07/2021 18:54

My sons nursery have told us they’ve had a case of Molluscum contagiosum in my sons room at nursery.

I’ve done some googling and I’ve really scared myself.

He’s only 18 months old. 😣

OP posts:
sherrystrull · 28/07/2021 18:56

Don't worry! Dc1 had it badly. Had some spots for a while then they just dried up without us doing anything. There's no scars and we're now years later.

Wantingtogetitright · 28/07/2021 18:57

Mine has had this for a months now. You just need to leave it to go.

Wantingtogetitright · 28/07/2021 18:57

He might not even get it! I was under the impression it was properly close contact you needed to have but could be wrong and god knows how mine got it.

Original poster
Dandy008 · 28/07/2021 19:02

@Wantingtogetitright

Ah sorry to hear it’s been months. Has it caused your child to feel unwell?

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 28/07/2021 19:06

It doesn't make them unwell. It's just a viral skin condition and isn't dangerous. My dd had them quite badly on her arms for a while and ds got them but only had a very small number of lesions.

GrandmasCat · 28/07/2021 19:07

I’m surprised they email you about this, as there is not much that you or the parent of the other child can do at all.

It is not nits, really. If your child got them, the GP will tell you it is one of those things, won’t prescribe anything and tell you to wait a year until they go on their own. Your kid will not suffer by having them, they are not painful.

I cannot even imagine how they can be passed on between children in the nursery unless they are sharing the same clothes.

LittleBearPad · 28/07/2021 19:09

Did you read the NHS page or Dr Google where every illness is a total disaster.

Wantingtogetitright · 28/07/2021 19:12

Not at all! It’s honestly not something to worry about.

Original poster
Dandy008 · 28/07/2021 19:14

@LittleBearPad

Did you read the NHS page or Dr Google where every illness is a total disaster.
@LittleBearPad

I started with the NHS.. then found myself consulting with Dr Google 🥺

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 28/07/2021 19:18

It's hardly the plague!
Not sure why they've messaged about it tbh

Terminallysleepdeprived · 28/07/2021 19:21

Dd has not long got rid, we are under a specialist dermatologist for something else so checked things with them.

It is nothing to worry about, they can't do anything about it, it will go as fast as it appeared. It cam last anything from 3 weeks to 6 months. Dd had it for 6 months but she has immunity issues so not surprising that it went on for a long time.

However, it didn't make her unwell, had no impact on her severe skin condition and other than looking unpleasant it was fine.

Nicnic91 · 28/07/2021 19:23

Both my kids had it - there’s something called molludab you can get on Amazon that dries them up and they disappear.

Original poster
Dandy008 · 28/07/2021 19:24

@dementedpixie

It's hardly the plague! Not sure why they've messaged about it tbh
@dementedpixie

I’m not sure. I’m a first time parent and it’s the first time I’ve even heard of this.

We just had a message to say there had been a case, it’s highly contagious and to contact nursery if our child develops any spots.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 28/07/2021 19:25

It's only contagious through touching the lesions and sharing towels,etc. It's not airborne

dementedpixie · 28/07/2021 19:28

From nhs

Although MC is infectious, the chance of passing it onto others during normal activities is small

It'snot necessary for you to stay away from work or your child to stay away from school or nursery, or to stop doing activities such as swimming if you have MC.

However,you shouldtake some steps to avoid spreading the virus to other people. You should:

  • avoid sharing towels, flannels and clothing
  • avoidsqueezing or scratching the spots–as well as increasing the risk of the infection spreading, thiscan cause pain, bleeding and can lead toscarring
  • keep affected areas of skin covered with clothing whenever possible–a waterproof bandage can be put over the areaif you go swimming
  • avoid sharing baths
Original poster
Dandy008 · 28/07/2021 19:29

@dementedpixie

My son is only 18 months and in a room with other toddlers. I don’t think they will know not to touch each other so I’m guessing it’s easily spread in that environment.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 28/07/2021 19:30

Depends where the spots are on the other child and whether they are covered with clothing. Dds were in the crook of her arm mainly so could be covered with sleeves

DragonMamma · 28/07/2021 19:31

My DS had it. Took about a year to clear up but he wasn’t unwell with it - they were just awful to look at.

I became an expert at MC treatments by the end but I’ll never know whether one worked or whether it just cleared up naturally. Persistent little buggers though, I’ll give them that 😬

Terminallysleepdeprived · 28/07/2021 19:32

[quote Dandy008]@dementedpixie

My son is only 18 months and in a room with other toddlers. I don’t think they will know not to touch each other so I’m guessing it’s easily spread in that environment.[/quote]
Honestly try not to worry. It isn't as infectious as the NHS website makes out and that came from dd's skin specialist.

I have to religiously apply gallons of creams to dd several tines a day, as do school. No one else has developed it. She co sleeps (is nearly 8) when her skin condition is bad as she gets so upset and unsettled and I haven't contracted it.

jusdepamplemousse · 28/07/2021 19:35

It’s gross and unsightly OP but feck all you can do about it! Can last for ages so other kid can’t stay home. Not a major ailment though by any means, just one of those childhood things. I do wonder is it new though as cannot remember anyone having them when I was young!

Shrimpseyelashes · 28/07/2021 19:35

I think in most nursery/school environments there will be a child or children with it. It’s just one of those things that kids get. I’m surprised nursery told you about it to be honest.

My dd had it for about 9 months on the top of her leg. I decided to treat it with Molludab as it was spreading a little and now it’s gone although it would prob have disappeared by itself eventually.

Original poster
Dandy008 · 28/07/2021 19:35

@Terminallysleepdeprived

Thank you. Hope it clears for her soon.

OP posts:
Terminallysleepdeprived · 28/07/2021 19:40

[quote Dandy008]@Terminallysleepdeprived

Thank you. Hope it clears for her soon.[/quote]
Thankfully it cleared up a couple of weeks back but I think it started around Xmas. I thought it was flee bites (new dog) at first.

My best suggestion is keep his skin moisturised, only use towels once, change clothes daily and bedding every couple of days unless he is still in a sleeping bag, in which case daily if you can.

Cheerfulcharlie · 28/07/2021 19:40

My son had it for a couple of years and nothing shifted it until it was recommended to me to put him on high dose vitamin C for 3 weeks. Just towards the end of that time it vanished completely.

LiveRightNow · 28/07/2021 19:40

Both my two had it. Drs said it would clear up in 6mths but took over a year. It's so common - they were very blasé about it. As everyone has said generally they don't get unwell at all. Never bothered my two (and when they are young they aren't self conscious about how it looks). Absolutely no scarring or lasting marks either.