Molloscum contagiosum

[Hamster]

I'm not sure if anyone can help on this but I'm looking for some info on this. Its a skin virus caused by pox virus very common in people with hiv. Just wondered if any here has had it, if so did it go on own accord. I have it on my neck and face and is getting me down

Thanks
Hamster

[Christine]

Hi Hamster,
Yes, I have it on my face, and little on my legs. My tcells are low, so it won't go away on its own, but I understand it can if ones tcells are pretty good. I went to a dermatologist, and they froze some off, and cut some off. It helps to control it fairly well. I've tried Retin A, and Aldara (creams) neither of those worked real well for me.

I do have one on my leg that I keep nicking with the razor when I shave, and it ends up getting infected. Nothing serious, just annoying. Course of antibiotics clears up the infection.

I would recommend talking to your ID doctor about it, or a dermatologist. It can be treated, so it will be one less thing to get you down.
Christine

[penguin]

hello, hamster,

info on treatment etc:

http://www.aidsmap.com/en/docs/038E9545-75F7-4D18-8161-20E020496747.asp#6aa5cbe9-f397-47a4-b017-a79a7bc20398

http://aidsmeds.com/OIs/MC3.htm

2 people i know, both had recurrent problem with this. one went down surgical route, they cleared temporarily, but he has some pitting/scarring as a result(which covers well with dermablend, but still, is there), & problem re-emerged. He then went on to roaccutane, which seems to have done the trick - he did have some soreness, looked like bad sunburn for  a while, but otherwise no problems.

Other person used cidofovir, no problems, and no molluscum in sight these days.

hiv meds alone enough in some folks, if you're on those and it#'s still not clearing, talk to dr again..you have access to a dermatologist with hiv specialism/experience?

Kate

[Hamster]

Thanks guys for the info I have an appointment on the 5th of September so ill have to see what options are there for me...

Hamster

[allanq]

Hamster,
I know how you feel. I had a bad case of molluscum on my face and chin. I had dozens of the little pimple-like bumps treated with liquid nitrogen by a dermatologist many times, but I must have had at seven or eight sessions before they finally went away. The repeated treatments might have done the trick, or it might have had something to do with a change in my drug regimen which raised my CD4's from around 15 to 150. (Are your CD4's very low?)

I also used Aldara, but I'm not sure if it played any role in getting rid of the molluscum. If you use it, be careful to apply it only every other day. I applied it every day and wound up with some awful burns on my face that took weeks to heal.

Allan

[Hamster]

Hi Allan

My last CD4 was 229 and it was 174 before that. I have started my medication nearly a month ago now and i have my first blood test since starting my medication on the 5th of September. I have bought some 'molloscum no more' essential oil off the internet but that dozen';t seem to be doing anything. The first few pimples i pulled off with my finger nails and there was a hard core thing in the middle witch i pulled out. but i think this had made them spread. I'm gonna have to  see about getting them frozen off when i go back.
I'm not sure that cream you mentioned is available in the UK

[allanq]

One more thing--

Unfortunately, shaving can foster the spread of the molluscum. If you can cut down on the frequency of shaving, that might help. It's hard to avoid bleeding when you shave over all those little bumps. When you do shave, rinse the razor after each stroke. It's hard to avoid shaving completely if you're going to get the molluscum treated with liquid nitrogen, since the doctor will need to have a clear view of the molluscum.

Allan

[Richardinoz]

I have good t-cells and still get Molluscum, is this normal?

[Matty the Damned]

Richard,

Welcome to the forums. I'm presuming you're positive. If you have questions about your particular case, you should create your own thread and not hijack other peoples.

Regards,

MtD

[allanq]

Although Richard's question was about his personal experience, I thought it was relevant to Hamster's original post. It didn't feel like hijacking to me.

Allan

[ademas]

I had them for years--15 years at least.
I've had countless burnt off and frozen off, and eventually I started scraping them off.
I grew a beard for 5-6 years, but they came back as soon as I started shaving again.
They finally went away about a year after I switched to an electric razor. 
I've been free of them for about 3-4 years now.

[Hamster]

Well. Im hope my doc will freeze mine off when i go.

[Hamster]

I go for my first blood test tomorrow morning since starting my medication Sustiva and Kivexa(epzicom) I had Oral hairy leukoplakia on my tongue too before i started my meds which is just about gone. So good sign my cd4 count has climbed a little. Thing is though Im going on holiday on monday and I have to go away not knowing how my cd4 has done. I also have this nasty molloscum on my chops which im gona ask about getting them frozen off but i doubt i will be able to get them done tomorrow. So the have to look at all sexy men on the beach with a towel around my face  Ill look like ET.

[pozniceguy]

Hamster....a good guy will always see the good in you...dont worry about the "bumps"  if you wrap towels around you then they will notice the  "guy with the towel""   not the great body with the nice smile

[Longislander]

Hey guys, just want add my 2 pennies. My derm suggested adding peroxide to my shaving regimen. Small stroke, rinse, dip in peroxide (in shaving cream cap), small stroke, rinse, dip, etc. Seems to be helping a bit. So far the key to a little success seems to be constant attack of the nitro, every 2 weeks or so.
Penguin mentioned cidofivor, gonna look into whatever it is. I'm not on meds yet, 349/9500, but I'm hoping that will help rid me of this part of the nightmare.

[clifhanger]

Hello,
I had molluscum 3 years ago and had no luck with topicals.I had been living with less than 50 tcells for years.  I did IL-2
therapy for 5 days every 8 weeks for 6 months. My t-cells went from
20 to 300 and the molluscum went away. My t-cells are presently 100
but the molluscum has not yet re appeared. The side effects of IL-2 were
pretty bad. Flu like symptoms during the treatment plus an extra day or two. I recommend trying it. Good Luck

[SFscruff]

I've used Condylox (podofilox gel) Gel 0.5% when ever one of those little molloscum volcanos has popped up.  It's available by prescription only in metal tubes that tend remain half-used in the medicine cabinet for a few years until the expiration date is way past -- so a couple of buddies and I have the equivalent of a Botox party and use the tube up.  It dries clear and the only sign is a barely visible red spot for a few days that only the afflicted seems to notice.  I usually put a drop on a toothpick and daub it on as if I'm sharing the tube with pals, we're careful to not cross-contaminate by using the same toothpick or applying directly on our skin(s) from the tube.  Three applications at 24 hour intervals over a 72 hour period eliminates them completely.  I think it's fairly expensive, but sharing the co-pay with friends helps reduce the cost per molloscum.

Scruff