How to treat molluscum contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum, medically termed as contagious molluscum, is a contagious skin disease caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus belonging to the poxvirus family. Main treatments for molluscum contagiosum include the following: 1. Surgical treatment: Such as curettage of the lesion. After disinfecting the skin, the molluscum is pierced with forceps, its contents are squeezed out, and then topical disinfectants are applied to prevent infection. This method is suitable for small-sized lesions. 2. Medication: Topical medications such as tretinoin cream, imiquimod cream, and cantharidin cream may be used to erode the molluscum and remove the lesion. For patients with secondary bacterial infection, antibiotic ointments should first be used to control the infection. 3. Physical therapy: Including cryotherapy, laser treatment, and electrocautery. Cryotherapy involves freezing the lesion with liquid nitrogen; laser and electrocautery treatments destroy the molluscum tissue using high temperatures to achieve therapeutic effects. These methods offer better therapeutic outcomes, but postoperative care is important to avoid infection. 4. General treatment: Patients should keep the skin clean and dry, avoid scratching the lesions, and use clothing and personal items separately, regularly disinfecting them. Additionally, enhancing one's immune system helps reduce viral infection and recurrence.