DERM- Molluscum Flashcards
molluscum
flesh colored, pearly papules with umbilicatd center (dimple)
who does it affect?
school aged kids
cause?
pox virus
transmission?
casual contact not enough, transmitted through close physical contact kids playing together
who is predisposed?
kids with atopic derm, more severe course, lesions will appear more inflammed and appear more infected and usually are not infected
referral?
if unsure of dx or if infected
number and distribution of papules
no typical dystribution
may cluster bc kids autoimmoculate themselves
typically 10-20 but can be 100’s
Treatment choices
typically reslves within week, may take months, some take years
looks red and inlfammed during healing phase d/t immune response
WATCHFUL WAITING is often first step and will heal on its own usually
if treatment is choosen, usually d/t psychosocial concerns embarassing for school aged kids and parents if present for multiple years
treatment methods for kids with underlying AD
gentle skin care
antipruritics and topical steroids
preventing transmission
should not bathe with siblings/playmates or share towels
off label therapies
destructive and immunemodulated
with no known acceptable lowest age
destructive methods
currettage
cryotherapy
canthardin
useful but associated with pain and other s/e
Canthardin
not FDA approved but allowed by physician application- can be toxic
popular with peds derm, high level of parent satisfaction
dervied from beetles “beetle juice”
action unknown but helps immune system recognize virus
wash off within 2-8 hours.
not for use on face, hypo/hyper pigmentation
