Preventing spread of Molluscum Contagiosum

[sergg]

I was diagnosed as having MC in my pubic area.  I haven't found many answers beyond the basics about preventing the spread of MC.  This is what I wanted to know:

1) Is it beneficial to wash towels, linen, and clothing with bleach? For what I hear, it is recommended that one washes the clothes, towels, and linen in hot water, and that they be dried completely in the dryer, as the virus will therefore die about four hours later.  Is this accurate?

2) Is washing hands with rubbing alcohol after touching the infected area is helpful or is there something else that I can use to wash my hands?

3) After having most bumps removed I was only recommended that I wash the infected area with a cleanser for sensitive skin, and to apply Symphytum concentrate ointment, which is an analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent.  If there something else I could apply topically to prevent the spread to other areas (i.e. iodine)?

[Vance2335]

Dr's do not post here, you have to visit the expert forum and pay to post a question there.

[sergg]

I had the bumps scraped off for the second time by the doctor today, but after the procedure  I was thinking that perhaps "liquid bandage" over the sores might help seal-in the virus and prevent spreading.  

I really would like a Doctors opinion on this subject, if there is one on the site.

[gracefromHHP]

Just regular hand washing with soap and water is all you need to do. No need to wash with alcohol.  Purell or similar product is also fine.

Same with your laundry. No need to do anything special. I fyou normally bleach your clothing then do so but I wouldn't make a special effort to do so.

You had the obvious lesions removed. There are no recommendations as to specific products to use to help keep new lesions from forming. You were told what to use on the skin by your provider to make sure that you don't further irritate the skin and that infection is lowered so by all means do so.   I don't recommend using anything else on your skin at this point since you just had molluscum removed and you don't want to further irritate things.

grace

[UABelle23]

I am fairly new to the whole MC thing (I'm beginning to think my boyfriend has it). But from what I've read (a doctor's pamphlet), after the bumps have been removed, they will not come back unless you are exposed to them again. Unlike the herpes virus, they do not go into a dormancy...once they die they're gone. However, I also read that just because you had them removed, doesn't mean they are all gone. Apparently, some can be too small to be seen. So just keep an eye on that and check yourself regularly to see if any new bumps arise. Since MC can be spread via cloth to the skin, it might be a good idea to give your boxers and towels a good washing. Hey, it can't hurt right? As far as touching the area - by now you know that MC is spread by skin contact.. If you touch the area, wash your hands before touching anywhere else. It's a virus, warm soap and water for 20 sec should do just fine. But if you feel that putting rubbing alcohol on your hands would make you feel better, then go ahead. No ointment or cream will prevent the spread, but they can assist in the healing process. Iodine will not have much of an effect unless it can penetrate the skin to the virus-causing head. In which case, you'd have to puncture the bump...not recommended. Try a benzoyl peroxide (acne medication) and see how that works out. Good luck!

[Vance2335]

1) Don't know
2) Don't know
3) Don't know

Sorry about I don't know much about MC and everyone else who posts here doesn't either. My best advice is talking to your Dr because to be honest question 1 and 2 sound not to be real in terms of having to do that.