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  1. Pityriasis Rosea
  2. Molluscum Contagiosum
  3. Cold Sores & Fever Blisters
  4. Chicken Pox
  5. Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
  6. Shingles
  7. Warts
  8. Treatment for Pityriasis Rosea
  9. Treatment for Molluscum Contagiosum
  10. Frequently Asked Questions About Molluscum Contagiosum
  11. Treatment for Cold Sores & Fever Blisters
  12. Treatment for Chicken Pox
  13. Treatment for Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
  14. Treatment for Shingles
  15. Treatment for Warts

Viral infections of the skin are common and include warts, cold sores, chickenpox, shingles, molluscum contagiosum, pityriasis rosea, and hand, foot, and mouth disease. The three main types of viruses that cause most viral skin infections are the human papillomavirus, the herpes simplex virus, and the pox virus. While these viruses cannot be cured, their effects on the skin can be prevented or minimized through proper treatment by a medical professional.

Pityriasis Rosea

Pityriasis rosea is a scaly, itchy, reddish-pink rash that is common in children and young adults and usually occurs in the spring and fall seasons. An outbreak of pityriasis rosea is often accompanied by cold symptoms.

The first lesion (or “herald patch”) appears most often on the back or stomach, followed by a general outbreak on the lower abdomen. Pityriasis rosea is not contagious and lasts approximately 1 to 3 months.

Treatment for Pityriasis Rosea

Your Trillium Creek Dermatology skin experts can provide antihistamines to alleviate itching, as well as steroid creams and other topical preparations to treat the outbreak. Pityriasis rosea generally clears up completely, without scarring and without recurring. We are serving the following communities and those surrounding: Wooster, Wadsworth, Medina, Brunswick, Strongsville, and Hinkley.

Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection of the skin that causes small flesh-colored bumps on the skin surface. The number of lesions usually ranged from 2 to 20, and appear in clusters. The infection is most common in children and adolescents, although adults can also be affected. While the condition is not harmful and does not have any other symptoms, the virus inside the lesions is contagious.

Treatment for Molluscum Contagiosum

Your Trillium Creek Dermatology skin expert will assess the severity of your condition to determine a reasonable course of action. In most cases, the lesions will heal without treatment over a period of 6 to 9 months. Additional treatment options may include removal of the lesions or topical preparations to speed the resolution of the lesions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Molluscum Contagiosum

Are baths bad for molluscum?

No, but a child should not share a bath or towel.

Can a child get molluscum twice?

Yes, there are multiple strains of the virus that causes molluscum

Can healthy adults get molluscum?

Yes, though molluscum is generally rarer in adults because they have encountered the virus before. Molluscum can be a sexually transmitted infection in adults.

Can I remove molluscum myself?

Your body may fight off the virus that causes molluscum without requiring medical treatment. You should not attempt to pick or remove your own lesions as the virus is contagious from one site of your body to another.

Can molluscum contagiosum be cured?

Yes. There is a variety of in-office and at-home treatment options for molluscum that help the body defeat the causative virus.

Can molluscum turn into staph?

If molluscum is scratched open they can become secondarily infected.

Can you squeeze molluscum?

No, you should not squeeze molluscum as manipulating the lesions can cause spread to other body parts.

Can you use salicylic acid on molluscum?

In-office treatments for molluscum sometimes involve treatment with acids, including salicylic acid, but there are certain body locations that are too sensitive for this treatment. It is best to consult with your skincare provider on the diagnosis and management of your condition.

Does molluscum get worse before it gets better?

Often a molluscum lesion will become inflamed and crusted as the immune system clears the virus.

Does molluscum have a white head?

A molluscum lesion is not a whitehead, but it can be extracted by a skincare professional.

Does steroid cream help molluscum?

Steroid cream does not treat the virus that causes molluscum, but it can reduce irritation in the surrounding skin known as molluscum dermatitis.

How can I boost my immune system to fight molluscum?

Eating a well-balanced diet, maintaining a healthy amount of daily activity, and reducing stress can all boost the immune system. Some people chose to take supplements such as Vitamin C and Zinc to boost immune function.

How did my child get molluscum contagiosum?

The pox virus that causes molluscum is widely prevalent in the environment. It is frequently spread by sharing towels after the bath or pool and by floor mats used for activities like wrestling and tumbling.

How do you get rid of molluscum contagiosum at home?

There are over-the-counter topical treatments, such as Conzerol, that are available for at-home treatment of molluscum. If lesions do not resolve with this treatment, it is best to consult with your skincare provider on the diagnosis and management of your condition.

How do you get rid of molluscum fast?

In-office extractions may be the fastest method of molluscum removal. It is best to consult with your skincare provider on the diagnosis and management of your condition.

How do you get rid of molluscum pubic area?

A variety of topical and destructive methods can be used to treat molluscum lesions. It is best to consult with your skincare provider on the diagnosis and management of your condition.

How do you know molluscum is healing?

The lesion may temporarily be inflamed and crusted before resolving it. Some lesions resolve by getting smaller and less red without a period of inflammation first.

How do you shower with molluscum contagiosum?

You can bathe and shower normally with molluscum. You should not share or reuse towels and the affected body regions should be washed and dried after unaffected regions.

How do you stop molluscum from spreading?

You should avoid picking and scratching lesions and wash and dry body regions that have lesions after areas that are unaffected.

How do you wash molluscum contagiosum off clothes?

There is no need to specially treat clothes that cover molluscum lesions aside from a standard machine wash.

How does duct tape get rid of molluscum?

Duct tape can mildly irritate the skin which may encourage the body’s immune system to clear the virus. It is best to consult with your skincare provider on the diagnosis and management of your condition

Is it OK to go swimming with molluscum?

It is ok to swim with molluscum, but you should wear shoes poolside and not share towels with anyone.

Is molluscum a big deal?

Molluscum is a common, generally mild viral infection that can be managed with your skincare professional.

Is molluscum contagiosum an STD?

In children, molluscum is a common environmental viral infection, but in adults with lesions in the groin, it is considered a sexually transmitted infection.

Is molluscum contagiosum itchy?

Molluscum is most commonly asymptomatic, but itching is possible, especially if there is surrounding skin inflammation known as molluscum dermatitis.

Is there an oral medication for molluscum?

There is no oral antiviral therapy for mollusum. Some people chose to augment their treatment with immune-boosting supplements such as Vitamin C and Zinc. It is best to consult with your skincare provider on the diagnosis and management of your condition.

Should I pop molluscum?

You should not manipulate your own lesions. It is best to consult with your skincare provider on the diagnosis and management of your condition.

What can a dermatologist do for molluscum contagiosum?

There are a number of treatments a dermatologist can do for molluscum. For example: topical cantharidin, extractions, and cryotherapy. It is best to consult with your skincare provider on the diagnosis and management of your condition.

What cream can I use for molluscum?

There are several over-the-counter cream treatments that can be used for molluscum (ex. Conzerol). It is best to consult with your skincare provider on the diagnosis and management of your condition.

What does molluscum look like in adults?

Molluscum in adults looks identical to that in children, but is more likely to be located in the groin or buttock as it is a sexually transmitted infection in adults.

What is inside molluscum contagiosum?

The \u201ccore\u201d of the viral lesion includes infectious viral particles and skin debris.

What is molluscum caused by?

A pox virus.

What Molluscum infection looks like?

Skin-toned to pinkish pimps with a central indentation, solitary or in clusters.

What part of molluscum is contagious?

Touching a molluscum lesion or anything that was recently vigorously rubbed on the surface of a lesion can spread the pox virus.

Who is immune to molluscum contagiosum?

Most adults are immune to molluscum as they were exposed to it in their childhood.

See All

Cold Sores & Fever Blisters

Cold sore and fever blisters are small blisters caused by the herpes simplex virus. Outbreaks usually last approximately 2 weeks or less and can be triggered by sun, wind, or a cold. Cold sores appear around the mouth and can cause soreness of the lips and mouth, tingling of the lips, and itching. Fever blisters can appear anywhere on the skin with similar symptoms. Homeopathy is utilized in stubborn cases.

Treatment for Cold Sores & Fever Blisters

Antiviral medications, both topical and oral, can be used to alleviate the symptoms of cold sores and fever blisters during an outbreak. Your Trillium Creek Dermatology skin expert will determine the severity of your condition and recommend an effective course of treatment to speed recovery and manage pain and itching.

Chicken Pox

Chicken pox is a highly contagious viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus and is most often seen in children ages 5 to 10. It causes a red, itchy rash on the face, scalp, chest, back, or over the entire body. Itching can range from mild to severe. The rash usually appears 2 weeks after exposure to the virus and may be accompanied by fever, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, headache, and general malaise.

Treatment for Chicken Pox

Most cases of chicken pox heal without complications and with minimal scarring if scratching can be controlled. Do not give anyone with chicken pox (child or adult) any medication containing aspirin as the combination is linked to Rhye’s syndrome.

Seek emergency medical care for breathing difficulties, confusion, disorientation, excessive sleepiness or seizures. Seek medical care for high fever (over 103° F); rash involving an eye; continued dehydration, vomiting, or decreased fluid intake; or secondary skin infections.

Your Trillium Creek Dermatology skin expert may prescribe antiviral medications to shorten the duration of the infection as well as antihistamines to relieve itching.

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a mild but highly contagious viral infection caused by the coxsackievirus that results in sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet. It is common in young children and is spread from close contact, usually through unwashed hands or contaminated surfaces.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is not associated with foot and mouth disease (also called hoof and mouth disease) found in farm animals. Hand, foot, and mouth disease cannot be contracted from or transmitted to, pets or other animals.

Treatment for Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

There is no specific treatment for hand, foot, and mouth disease. Your Trillium Creek Dermatology skin expert may recommend pain relievers, because sores in the mouth and throat may make swallowing painful and lead to dehydration. Symptoms generally disappear in 7 to 10 days.

Complications of the coxsackievirus can include viral meningitis and encephalitis but these are very rare. Reduce the risk of infection by practicing good hygiene, especially frequent and thorough hand washing.

Shingles

Shingles, also called herpes zoster, is a common viral infection of the nerves that causes very painful blisters on any area of the body. Shingles are caused by a reactivation of the same virus that causes chickenpox (varicella-zoster virus).

Once you contract chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in nerves until it is reactivated, often in persons over age 50.

Treatment for Shingles

Shingles has to run its course, because there is no cure for the disease. Your Trillium Creek Dermatology skin expert can provide pain relief, antibiotics for secondary infections, and antiviral preparations to minimize symptoms and nerve damage. In addition, you may benefit from bed rest, cool compresses applied to affected skin areas, and antidepressants to treat the emotional effects that can result from the disease.

Warts

Warts are non-cancerous skin growths caused by the human papilloma virus. They are common around the nails, back of the hand and soles of the feet. Warts can be raised and rough, flat and scaly or long and narrow, depending on their type and location on the skin.

Treatment for Warts

Your Trillium Creek Dermatology skin expert can offer a wide range of treatments to remove warts, depending on the type, location and severity. Common treatments include salicylic and lactic acid, cryotherapy (freezing), electrodesiccation (using electrical current), immunotherapy and laser surgery. Warts are prone to recurrence, so repeated treatments may be necessary.

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