Molluscum

How should we get rid of this rash? By Alan Greene, MD, FAAP

Molluscum contagiousum is a common viral infection of the skin caused by a pox virus -- sort of like chickenpox. But the molluscum virus is slower, quieter, and less dramatic. It does usually go away on its own, without any treatment at all and with no scarring. But, on average, it takes six to nine months to disappear and can take quite a bit longer, especially in kids with eczema where it usually lasts a couple of years.

One treatment for it is liquid nitrogen (a brief six- to nine-second application) which may cause a bit of pain; about one-third of kids say it hurts, about one-third don't report much of anything, and about one-third say it feels weird. It can feel either hot or cold, even though it is actually very cold. Another treatment option is liquid cantharidin, which is an irritant. It usually doesn't hurt at the time, but the bumps get red and tender before they fall off. The other successful treatment is to use a comedo extractor (a little tool that pulls the plug out of the middle), which feels sort of like a shot.

With all three of these treatments, sometimes just treating a few of the bumps will cause the body to recognize the rest and get rid of them.

Less common treatment options include laser therapy or wart medications, such as DuoFilm or Verrusol.
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Source: HealthyKids.com - Healthy Kids online