Molluscum contagiosum is a highly viral infection that is also considered an STD, but you don't have to have sex to get it-skin to skin contact is sufficient. In fact, children are most commonly afflicted with it. The virus is related to smallpox, and it appears on the surface of the skin as small shiny bumps.
Molluscum Contagiosum Causes
The incubation period for Molluscum is variable-from a few weeks to several months-so it's hard to backtrack and figure out who was kind enough to give it to you. While the virus is unattractive and inconvenient, it is not dangerous.
Doctors will generally advise to wait it out until your immune system kicks in, but the virus can hang around for years. To make matters worse, as long as the lesions are present, you're contagious. Of course, most parents find this unacceptable especially when children tend to scratch at the bumps which cause them to spread.
A more aggressive treatment is to have them frozen or burned off, but this can be traumatic for very young children. There is also the option of having each individual bump scraped off with a curette-a curved surgical knife. Topical anesthetics help with the pain.
Molluscum Contagiosum Treatment
One all-natural treatment that combines healing oils with homeopathy is ZymaDerm for Molluscum Contagiosum. Users report good results after about two weeks of use.
The idea behind homeopathy is that 'like cures like' or substances that can cause a disorder can also cure it. This formula is in a base of jojoba oil. It also contains tea tree oil (M. Alternifolia) which has antimicrobial and antiseptic qualities. Another ingredient, lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora), has powerful antiseptic and anti-viral properties. It is used as a cleanser or disinfectant and typically included in formulas for warts, ringworm and thrush.
Finally, clove oil has potent antiseptic and anti-inflammatory benefits. The essential oil blend includes the already mentioned Thuja as well as Boswellia carterii oleo-gum-resin aka Frankincense which is known to support the immune system and help with inflammation and tea tree, which is antiseptic, antiviral, and antibacterial. To find out more about the formula or to purchase it, click here.
What is the best home treatment for molluscum contagiosum?FYI, this product comes with a 6-month money-back guarantee so give it a try before going with a more aggressive treatment.
