Need a Dr's Advice for my children...?

My daughter has molloscum contagiosum on her stomach, chest, and arms. My pediatrician told me not to worry and it would go away on its own. She also said it was VERY contageous and can be passed from child to child. My son is now showing signs of the virus. I am due with a baby girl in 9 weeks. I am worried that this contageous virus will spread to the new baby and could be more serious. Will molloscum contagiosum affect my newborn more adversly than it has my older children? What can be done to get rid of the virus altogether?Need a Dr's Advice for my children...?
The antibodies will reach the newborn from you and there is no need to worry. Still, you should take your doctor's advice in this regard.


PS-The virus commonly spreads through skin-to-skin contact. This includes sexual contact or touching or scratching the bumps and then touching the skin. Handling objects that have the virus on them, such as a towel, can also result in infection. The virus can spread from one part of the body to another or to other people. Molluscum contagiosum is contagious until the bumps are gone鈥攚hich, if untreated, may be up to 6 months or longer.Need a Dr's Advice for my children...?
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Well not sure exactly what that virus is but if you should probably talk to your pediatrician as well as your OB-GYN and find out what each of them thinks. Is there some type of medication or topical cream to use to help it? Looked it up and this site showed a suggestion for treatment of it.
i don't know but for viruses I'd eat garlic and onion,take vitaminC ,and eat turnips and parsnips, and put a little dab of crushed garlic on bottom of feet for a while while resting
You ';Need a Dr's Advice for my children....?';


You went and got advice from a Dr and now want advice from yahoo...people who are NOT professional's?? ummmm





Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection of the skin that causes discrete papules that may be mistaken for warts. While warts are caused by human papilloma viruses (HPV), molluscum contagiosum is caused by a pox virus. Most adults have come in contact with this virus and have developed an immunity to it; therefore, the rash is most often seen in children.





Molluscum Contagiosum Rash


The rash of molluscum contagiosum is characterized by discrete, 2 to 5 mm papules that are flesh-colored and dome-shaped with a central, sharply depressed center, or umbilication. In children the rash is most often found on the face, trunk, armpits, and extremities. In adults the rash is most often found in the pubic and genital region.





The lesions are frequently grouped together and several groups can be found in various areas of the body. One way molluscum contagiosum can be distinguished from warts is that molluscum contagiosum is usually not found on the palms and soles.





Molluscum contagiosum is spread by direct contact with a lesion and spreading the virus to another area. The virus can also live for a short time on inanimate objects; therefore, it can be contracted by touching an infected object such as a brush or clothing.








Molluscum contagiosum is a self-limited disease, meaning it will eventually go away on its own. Each lesion generally lasts for about 6 to 9 months, but they can last for several years. While a lesion is present, there is a chance of spreading the rash to another area of the body. Often new lesions will crop up over a period of months. Each new crop of lesions last for 6 to 9 months. This gives the appearance that the rash is permanent.





Molluscum Contagiosum Treatment


Treatment for molluscum contagiosum must be individualized. Some treatments may be painful and would not be the first choice for children. Other treatments are not painful but require diligence over a long period of time. Sometimes the best treatment is reassurance that the lesions will go away on their own. Some examples of treatments are:





Curettage - Scraping the lesion off with or without anesthetic


Cryosurgery - Using liquid nitrogen to freeze the lesion


Cantharidin - A blistering agent applied sparingly to each lesion


Imiquimod (Aldara) - An immune system modulating topical cream that is also used to treat warts


Tretinoin (Retin-A) - The same cream used for acne applied to the lesion for weeks to months


Salicylic Acid (Compound W) - A solution applied to the lesion with or without tape occlusion


Laser - Lasers may be a choice for people with genital lesions.








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This common, unsightly skin infection usually develops in the trunk, face and around the eyes. The lesions resemble warts or pimples, but are usually flesh-colored or white, and they range in size from about one-tenth of an inch to almost half an inch in diameter, although an occasional lesion is as large as one inch across. The lesions may be widely distributed or clustered.


As its name implies, molloscum contagiosum is contagious. A child might pick up the infection at a swimming pool or other public bathing area or simply through close contact with an infected playmate. There is no hard and fast information about the incubation period of molloscum contagiosum, but estimates range from two weeks to six months. This infection is not particularly dangerous or painful.





WHAT CAUSES MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM?


The lesions are a result of an infection by a pox virus, which spreads not only from person to person, but also from one part of the body to another. For this reason, care must be taken that the lesions are not picked or squeezed, which can release the virus and allow it to spread. Becaus the incubation period remains unclear, it is usually difficult to determine exactly when or how a child was exposed to the infection.





WHEN SHOULD I SUSPECT THAT MY CHILD HAS MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM?


Molluscum are flesh-colored or pearly-white, round, dome-shaped bumps that have a dimple in the middle. That dimple, and the white material inside the bump, is what differentiates molluscum from other skin lesions such as warts. Molluscum usually do not cause pain or itching. Although the common sites are the trunk and face, they can sometimes be found on the pelvis, lower abdomen and inner thighs. If molluscum lesions develop around the eyes, the child may suffer chronic conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the membrane that lines the eye) or inflammation of the eyelids.





Children with eczema or dermatitis may develop clusters of molluscum contagiosum lesions in the same area as the other skin problem, which may cause confusion. In fact, children with eczema are more prone to molluscum, and they may develop widespread lesions, especially if they have been mistakenly treated with topical steroids, which tend to make molluscum spread.





HOW LONG DO MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM LAST?


A single molluscum lesion may last about two months, and the entire outbreak may subside spontaneously between several months and a year. Sometimes, the infection will spread to a different part of the body and subside in the original area of infection. In some cases, molluscum contagiosum may stay in a limited area of the body for a long time, if not treated.





IS MEDICAL ATTENTION NECESSARY?


Yes, but only to rule out other skin problems that require different treatment. Molluscum contagiosum itself is generally harmless. Medical attention may also be warranted if a molluscum lesion gets sore and inflamed, which indicates a possible infection.





WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE?


Treatment is not absolutely necessary, since the infection usually subsides spontaneously within a year. If the lesions are quite noticeable and persistent, however, the doctor may recommend removing them by freezing with liquid nitrogen. Alternatively, the doctor may apply a substance that causes blister formation, which also destroys the lesions.





PREVENTING MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM


There are no surefire ways of preventing molluscum contagiosum, since the responsible virus spreads quite easily. The following precautions may, however, be of some help.





鈥?Avoid letting your child have direct skin contact with anyone who has a rash.





鈥?Don't let your child share towels and other personal items with others.





鈥?If another member of the family has molluscum contagiosum, avoid sharing towels and clean the bathtub thoroughly with disinfectant after the infected person has bathed.





GETTING HELP


Call your doctor if your child:





鈥?Has any unexplained rash or growth on the skin





鈥?Has molluscum lesions around the eyes





Excerpt from THE DISNEY ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BABY %26amp; CHILD CARE, 漏 1995 DSH Communications, Inc. lesions.