skin problems
Molluscum Contagiosum & Chicken Pox
A common and contagious viral infection that causes small, firm, wart-like lumps any- where on the body. It usually occurs in school-age children.
About Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is a common and contagious viral infection that causes small, firm, warlike lumps anywhere on the body. It usually occurs in school-age children. It also occurs in adults where it is commonly found on the genitals, inner thighs and abdomen and is usually sexually transmitted.
Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a poxvirus. It is contagious and spreads by direct contact from person to person, although some poxviruses may be transmitted indirectly. Children usually pick up the infection from family members or other infected people with whom they swim or bathe. The incubation period can vary from 2 weeks to 26 weeks. The virus can be spread by scratching and by cortisone therapy. People with a depressed immune system, such as those with HIV infection, are prone to the infection.
The mollusca are small, firm, white or pearly lumps shaped like domes. Each lump has a central depression rather like a small pit and is about 3–5 mm in diameter. Some may grow to as large as 10 mm. They are filled with a cheese like fluid. The lumps can be solitary or, more commonly, multiple. The lumps do not hurt or itch but can cause eye irritation if present on the eyelid.
They can be found anywhere on the body but are more common on the face, the trunk and the flexures such as the armpits and the backs of the knees. Although they can be generalised, they tend to be confined to a particular region.
The problem is not dangerous but dermatitis or a bacterial infection can develop. Scarring can occur with larger lumps. People with HIV infection can get a very profuse outcrop which is difficult to treat.
If untreated, just a few lumps can increase rapidly over a few weeks and can keep appearing up to 1 year later. However, all lumps will eventually disappear by them- selves when the body’s immune system is able to respond and destroy them. This rejection usually takes from 6 to 24 months but can take many years.
What is the treatment?
Avoid scratching the lumps and keep out of communal swimming pools or spa baths.
There are 101 different treatments but no magic one. It is not advisable to use painful methods such as deep pricking and lancing in children with small uncomplicated lumps (children under 10 years do not tolerate painful methods very well). There are various ‘tricks of the trade’ to stimulate the immune response. For large areas, apply aluminium acetate (Burow’s solution, 1:30) twice a day. For smaller areas, daily dabbing of benzyl peroxide 2.5% or 10% povidone-iodine (Betadine) after gently lifting open the tip of the lump with a sterile needle inserted from the side (parallel to the skin) is worthwhile. The lump can then be covered with low-allergy paper-based tape such as Micropore. A simple but protracted method is to cover the lump or lumps with this tape only and replace it each day.
Another method is to apply liquid nitrogen to the lump and cover it with dry dressings for 2 weeks (this works better in adults). The application Aldara (or Imiquimod) cream, a prescription medication, applied once or twice a week for as long as advised, may also be effective as it stimulates the immune system to attack the virus. The most effective method is to extract the core with a large needle or curette, performed professionally. It is best to avoid antibiotic and cortisone ointments if the lumps are inflamed.
(Reference: 126 John Murtagh, Patient Education, Fourth Edition, McGraw-Hill Australia)
Results
Our products can help the skin to heal quicker once the lumps flare up ( for example after applying the Aldara Cream once or twice a week) . This will help with minimising any scarring from the sores bursting or from being scratched. Photographs are of the flared-up lumps after the Aldara Cream was applied once a week for one week and one week after applying the Propolis Balm twice a day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Being allergic to bee venom is different to being allergic to bee-products. Propolis is made from bee's saliva and pollen, resin and plant extracts. A bee's sting contains the toxin melittin and is meant to discourage potential threats from coming close to the hive and queen bee. It is meant to induce an extremely painful and uncomfortable reaction. A bee uses it's saliva and mixes it with tree resin and pollen to make glue or propolis to patch up it's hive. Propolis exists to keep the hive safe from microbial contamination.
Spray with a toner on clean skin, then massage a few drops of an oil serum, followed by a cream to seal in the oils. Just using an oil serum on it's own will not replace the moisture in the skin. Moisture or water is contained in a cream, not a balm or oil.
A balm does not contain water, so has no preservatives or alcohol which may cause stinging on broken, raw and inflamed skin. Whan the skin is in that condition, it is generally more sensitive and reactive. A balm is also better suited for skin that needs intensive treatment with actives as it sits on the skin for longer and allows better penetration of actives. It also contain waxes such as beeswax or candelilla wax (plant version of beeswax) which will increase hydration of the skin by preventing moisture loss from the skin's surface. It acts as a natural barrier when the skin is broken and compromised. It may feel oiler on the face, so a serum or cream would be better for the face.
Certificate of analysis provided gives us the amount of propolis content and flavonoids in a batch. We also ensure there are no trace contaminants such as Lead, Mercury or Arsenic.
They can reduce the redness, inflammation, itch and help the skin heal, but it's not a cure if there are allergens that are causing the auto-immune system to flare-up. This can happen if there is leaky gut, a genetic predisposition, or if certain foods or environmental allergens are getting into the system. It's best to get a test done to find out what you are allergic to so you can minimise exposure to the allergen. These products will relieve the symptoms which will then give you more time to look at any changes you can make to improve your health condition. Naturopaths can perform tests to see if there is leaky gut, or if you are allergic or intolerant to certain foods. They can also advise you on how to manage stress which is a big trigger, and what supplements to take to help heal the gut. Victoria Martin is an expert in auto-immune diseases and can help you unravel your symptoms. Get in touch for a chat or to make an appointment.
A patch test can be done to ensure there are no allergic reactions to Propolis, Manuka Oil or Calendula. Most people are not allergic to these actives, but a small percentage of people react to the tea tree family, daisy-family or pollen in the propolis. If you are unsure of allergies to pollen, use the products which does not contain pollen such as the Manuka Oil Balm or Manuka Oil Cream.
Sometimes repeated exposure to something can increase your risk of developing an allergy to ie, for example a very small percentage of bees keepers who developed a propolis allergy after 9 years of handling it every day. 9 years of regular, daily exposure to a product is a long time to be constantly exposed to something. Most people would only use a product when they needed to. Unlike antibiotics, the use of essential oils such as Manuka Oil has been shown to not cause resistance or tolerance. That means it's effectiveness does not decrease over time.
Yes, we can custom-blend any product to suit your needs. Please get in touch with us to make your request.
Yes, email us for a quote and request. Email: karencheah@pharmacymr.com.au