We Can’t Hide from Molluscum Contagiosum

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 Molluscum contagiosum

I have high anxiety when it comes to childhood rashes. When my oldest son was a baby, he had a rash that was a symptom of a serious health condition. As a result of this experience, my blood pressure rises whenever I see a blotch, blemish, or bump on my children’s skin.  

A few weeks ago I noticed a few small flesh-colored bumps on my youngest son’s skin in his diaper area. After taking some deep calming breaths, I realized that my anxiety was unnecessary. Upon further inspection, I knew exactly what I was looking at. Molluscum Contagiosum.  

Insert eye roll here.  

What is Molluscum Contagiosum?  

If your children have been lucky enough to avoid this viral skin infection, allow me to tell you about this pesky condition. When a child has Molluscum Contagiosum, they have small smooth nodules on their skin. They are mostly painless, depending on their location.  

They can show up anywhere on a child’s body and with time, they will go away on their own with no treatment. Still, the virus that causes Molluscum is highly contagious which makes it pretty hard to avoid.    

Our Experience with Molluscum Contagiosum

To date, all four of my children have had Molluscum.  

I was giving my oldest daughter a bath when she was four and I noticed a papule on her abdomen. We visited her pediatrician the next day and he confirmed that she had, in fact, contracted the common virus. The bump on her abdomen was isolated for several months and then it went away. A few months later, several appeared on her knees and thighs.  

When my youngest daughter was two we discovered she had a single bump of Mollescum on her forehead.  

Not surprisingly, my oldest son – the one who had cancer – had the worst experience with Molluscum Contagiosum. His bumps were bigger, closer together, and they were conspicuously located on the side of his face.  

Molluscum contagiosumTreatment for Mulluscum Contagiosum

I’m not a doctor, so please make sure you are seeking the advice of a medical professional any time you are concerned about your child’s health. In my experience, however, time has been the best way to deal with this pesky menace.  

We tried a lot of over-the-counter and wives’ tales to help my oldest with her Molluscum. Nothing really worked all that well. They simply ran their course and went away with time. Her skin recovered beautifully.   

My oldest son had more aggressive treatment due to his medical history and unsightly and uncomfortable location of his bumps. (He had a few papules on his eyelid.)  

We were sent to a dermatologist who was able to provide fast and effective treatment. The dermatologist applied a cream that heightened my son’s immune response to the virus. His Mollescum was gone in a few weeks, but first, his bumps popped and looked truly disturbing as they healed. He has a few small pockmarks on his face where some of the bigger lesions were.  

Time will tell if we feel the need to take my youngest for treatment. One thing I know for sure, my family can’t hide from this virus.   

Has your family had to deal will Molluscum Contagiosum?  

Molluscum contagiosum

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Jessie Todd
Jessie is a talkative storyteller who enjoys making new friends. She is married to a Colorado native and together they have four beautiful children: Leela, Cora, Lincoln, and Theodore. Her oldest son is a pediatric-cancer survivor and caring for him has earned her the title of momcologist. A teacher by trade, Jessie loves to collaborate with others. In her free time Jessie enjoys movies and popcorn with her family, browsing the aisles at Target, and trying to find an excuse to eat out.

1 COMMENT

  1. Hi! I’m pretty sure my son has this. Did you find that a certain home remedy worked for you? My oldest son had it when he was around this age too (7) it was a nightmare! If you have any tips and tricks I’d love to know! Thanks!!

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