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Pearl disease
The term pearl disease is the infection of molluscum contagiosum, and it is one of the common viral infections that infect the skin, and lead to the appearance of skin lesions that resemble the shape of pearls, and most often affect children under the age of 15, and in fact it is not possible to determine the percentage of This type of skin infection is precisely because many people with this disease do not see a doctor or a health center, and it is worth noting that these lesions can appear anywhere on the body, but they are more common in the arms, legs, and trunk, and it should be noted that Viral molluscum contagiosum and the lesions that appear as a result of infection with it go away within a period ranging between 6-12 months without the need for treatment in most cases, and some rare cases may require 4 years to cure. [1]
Symptoms of pearl disease
The incubation period for the molluscum contagiosum virus ranges between 2-7 weeks after infection, and skin lesions may not appear in some cases for up to 6 months, and in fact the symptoms begin to be noticed when a small group of skin bumps and lesions appear that do not cause pain, and a lesion may appear One cutaneous in some cases, or more than 20 lesions forming a spot in the same area of the skin in some other cases, and it should be noted that the symptoms associated with molluscum contagiosum may be more severe in cases of weakened immune system , as the lesions appear in a large size. Up to 15 mm, equivalent to the size of a coin, and the chance of the appearance of lesions on the face increases, and it may be difficult to treat in some cases. The following is an explanation of some of the characteristics that characterize these pests: [2]
- These lesions can appear in any area of the skin except for the soles of the feet and the palm of the hand, and they can appear on the face, abdomen, legs, and arms in children, while in adults they appear on the abdomen, inner thigh, and genitals.
- The size of these skin lesions ranges between 2-5 mm, that is, between the size of the tip of the pen, and the size of the eraser at the tip of some types of pens, and they often have a shiny appearance and a soft touch.
- These lesions appear flesh-colored, white, or pink, and are filled with a waxy substance.
- It is rigid and dome-shaped, with a small curve in the center.
Complications of pearl disease
In some cases, infection with molluscum contagiosum may lead to the emergence of some health complications, including the following: [1]
- Scratching or picking at the skin lesions may lead to a bacterial infection in the skin in the affected area, and some cases may require the use of a type of antibiotic to get rid of the infection.
- The occurrence of some health complications in the eye such as keratitis and Conjunctivitis, in the event that skin lesions appear in the area around the eye.
- Some skin scars may appear in the area of lesions in some cases, and the chance of scarring is greater if there is a bacterial infection in the area of the skin lesions themselves.
- Area surrounding the skin lesions may get eczema in some cases, causing the feeling of itching, pain, and increase the chance of infection bacterial infection and the spread of the virus in this case, it may lead to a delay in the healing process.
Prevention of pearl disease
You can prevent infection with molluscum contagiosum by following some tips and various prevention methods, including the following: [3]
- Hand washing: Regular hand washing helps prevent the spread of the virus.
- Covering the skin lesions: The area where the skin lesions appear may be covered with a waterproof pad in the event that others are in contact with this area. This is to prevent the transmission of infection, and it is also advised to remove the dressing in cases that do not require contact with other people. This is to prevent some health problems of the skin.
- Avoid sexual contact: You should avoid sexual contact with a person affected by this type of skin lesion if they appear in or near the genital area, until these skin lesions are completely cured.
- Avoid touching the skin lesions: to prevent their spread to other areas of the body, and passing a razor blade over these lesions may transmit the infection to other areas of the body.
- Avoid sharing personal tools: You should refrain from sharing personal tools with others, such as towels, clothes, and hairbrushes, to avoid transmitting the infection from one person to another.
Pearl disease treatment
Many cases of molluscum contagiosum do not need treatment and disappear with time on their own as mentioned previously, and the doctor may recommend removing the skin lesions before they disappear automatically, to avoid the transmission of infection to others, especially in adults, and these lesions may be surgically removed using Lasing, or by using the method of cryotherapy , or through a process of curettage, and these operations may be painful, which may require the patient to undergo anesthesia before the operation. As for drug treatments, we mention the following: [4]
- Retinoid creams: Creams that contain retinoids can be used in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum, and it should be noted that these creams should be avoided during pregnancy.
- Irritating products: Some products that contain irritating substances, such as Potassium hydroxide and Salicylic acid, can be used to help get rid of skin lesions.
References
- ^ A b Christian Nordqvist (17-1-2018), "What ' 's To Know About Molluscum Contagiosum?" , Www.medicalnewstoday.com , Retrieved 13-8-2018. Edited.
- ↑ Anna Giorgi, "Molluscum Contagiosum" , www.healthline.com , Retrieved 8-13-2018. Edited.
- ↑ "Molluscum contagiosum symptoms & causes" , www.mayoclinic.org , 15-5-2018, Retrieved 13-8-2018. Edited.
- ↑ "Molluscum contagiosum Diagnosis & treatment" , www.mayoclinic.org , 15-5-2018, Retrieved 13-8-2018. Edited.
