When you have had four children I think you get a general idea about whether to take your child to see a doctor or not. If it’s nothing serious then it’s usually more faff than it’s worth organising everything and everyone to get to the appointment. Then there’s a matter of will they need to miss time off school. I can now roughly tell my children’s temperature with just the use of my hand (whether it is normal or they have a fever). I have even heard talk of Doctors seeing patients over Skype in the future. One thing I was told always to be mindful of was moles changing shape or colour – that is exactly why we ended up seeing the nurse when my son had Molluscum Contagiosium.
The nurse had told us that it could go away by itself within 12-18 months and needed no treatment. However, my friend’s children had had it and she talked to my about the effects of my son’s self-esteem if people saw it on his back and commented.
She told me how easily it could spread to other parts of his body and onto my other children. I remember that her daughter had had it at the top of her legs between her thighs. She told me that because (in adults) it can be caught by sexual contact she had seen online that people had been worried about mentioning it. It can be spread by bath water, towels, flannels and soft toys, etc.
About Molluscum Contagiosium
Molluscum Contagiosium are small warty bumps on the skin that are often found in clusters or groups. Effecting any part of the body but rarely on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. They are about 1.5mm across and pearly-white or slightly pink. A tiny spot in the middle often develops on the top of each molluscum. It can affect anyone at any age, but mostly occurs in children ages 1-4 years old. Those with immune systems that are not working so well (such as those with AIDs, undergoing chemotherapy or having steroid treatment) are more susceptible to having them. After infection the small lumps usually take between 2-7 weeks to develop.
Typically each pot lasts 6-12 weeks. As they spread the condition can last as long as 5 years. Molluscum Contagiosium is not usually serious. If there are hundreds of them, or they are larger than normal, then it could indicate a problem with the immune system. Although contagious there is no need to stop going swimming, as the risk of passing the virus on is small, and not serious.
Our Son’s Molluscum Contagiosium
We decided to aggravate the spots and use my friend’s advice of putting cider vinegar on it (with cotton wool) and covering it with a plaster. We took photos over the days that we did this so that others could see its process. After a while my husband (he’s a good man and he did this as it REALLY hurt and our 6 year old was bravely fighting back the tears) decided that this wasn’t working well and that it looked to be getting infected. He had been squeezing the spots and we after read that this should be performed with sterile gloves on. We made the switch to TCP and allowed the spots to get air (by not using the plaster).
I think we are almost there now – and it has been about 2 weeks since we started treating them. Now my youngest two have white bumps on their hands and I am just hoping they are going to go away quickly!
whilst reading online there are a lot of different opinions on whether you should squeeze or aggravate the spots. We did a bit of both – my husband thinks he should have just squeezed them and my friend thinks he should have just aggravated them. You can see the process through the pictures. The pictures are in order but not a picture a day.
This post is not professional advice just our experiences. Please consult your doctor if you are worried or for advice.
If the spots become infected then a course of antibiotics may be required. The area that is infected may make a difference to how much it hurts to treat the spots also.
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