Any ideas to clear Molluscum Contagiosum

[andrewpiccadilly]

Hi - I have had molluscum on my face for over 2 years and have tried topical retin-A and 10% benzoyl peroxide but with no success. Would welcome any advice on how to treat effectively. I would rather avoid burning them off with cryotherapy due to risk of scarring. Andrew

[veritas]

Andrew,

Sorry to hear about your issue. Unfortunately, the treatments are limited. Here is some info from the cdc:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/molluscum/faq/everyone.htm#treated


v

[GSOgymrat]

I've always had to use cryotherapy. The scarring has been minimal.

[acerhound]

Yup, me2. Go to a dermatologist and get em frozen off. I had em bad on my face, and they're long gone now. But you have to get em all taken off or they'll recur. I only had one scar, too.

[Matty the Damned]

An alternative to cryotherapy is treating the molluscae with tri-chloroacetic acid.

TCA should only ever be applied by a doctor or suitably experienced nurse.

MtD

[BlueMoon]

I had two on my buttocks, and one right next to my eye.  That one was cut off, and the two on my butt were frozen.  I'm not sure why it was done that way, maybe it's too dangerous to use cryo that close to the eye.

The one on my face healed nicely.  I wouldn't notice anything if I didn't know where to look.  I can't see the other two but I've had no complaints.

That was last year, and it was  a relief to have them gone.

[Jody]

Hi Andrew...I'm sorry about your molluscum...I had a problem about 10-12 years ago or so and had them removed.  The injections were a bit of a pinch but once the numbing set in you don't feel a thing... I had one on my eyelid right where the eyelashes start - that really sucked, I could feel it when I blinked, only 27 billion times a day-LOL- I can laugh now and still be humbled...Anyway I had it removed and my eye fluttured a great deal while the good doctor tried to inject the area but that was the worst.  Anyway it is best to get rid of them as soon as possible and believe me you will feel so much better overall.  I hated them of course, who would not, but have not have a recurrence.  PM me if you are in New York although I suspect with the name Picadilly perhaps you are a Londoner?

Take care, Jody