Molluscum Contagiosum Home Remedy: Molluscum contagiosum is a common infection that affects the skin brought by the molluscum contagiosum virus. It produces benign bumps on the upper layers of your skin which tend to form clusters of varying sizes. One sure-fire way of identifying the condition is when the bumps have an indentation on the top which might become red or irritated. The bumps are generally pink in color and painless most of the time- but itchy nonetheless. They surface within seven weeks after being exposed to the virus and may not show signs of disappearing for months. Before we proceed to molluscum contagiosum home remedy, you might want to learn more about the condition.
The bumps appear on just about any part of the body, generally more on the face, neck, armpits, and eyes. In some cases, the infection can occur on the inner upper thigh, lower abdomen and genitals if it was sexually transmitted.
The target audience for molluscum contagiosum is generally children between the ages of 1 and 10, but people living in tropical climates, people with a weakened immune system and people suffering from atopic dermatitis are at a higher risk of contracting it.
If left untreated, molluscum contagiosum can cause a great deal of discomfort and with it comes the possibility of spreading the infection to people who come in contact with. The good thing about molluscum contagiosum is that it can be treated naturally. Here are some home remedies for molluscum contagiosum.
Molluscum Contagiosum Home Remedy That You Should Try
1. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar makes a great molluscum contagiosum home remedy as it is antiviral in nature, killing the virus responsible for this infection. The source of the infection is nipped in the bud as apple cider vinegar penetrates deep into the skin quickly. With the vitamins and minerals present in it, you’re in for a speedy recovery with apple cider vinegar.
For this remedy:
Remedy I:
- Soak a ball of cotton in raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar and apply it to the affected areas. Cover this with a bandage, leaving it on overnight.
- On waking, remove the bandage and wash the area with lukewarm water.
- Repeat this process once every day for a few weeks.
Remedy II
- Add a cup of raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar to a bathtub of warm water.
- Soak in this for about twenty minutes.
- Repeat this process once every day.
Remedy III
- Mix a tablespoon of raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar with a glass of water.
- Drink this twice a day.
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2. Clove Oil
Clove oil has antimicrobial properties which makes it an effective remedy in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum. This helps to prevent the infection from spreading. Keep in mind, however, that clove oil can be too concentrated, so it’s best that you dilute this oil before applying it.
For this remedy:
- Mix a teaspoon of 100% pure clove oil in a teaspoon of extra virgin coconut oil.
- Use this mixture topically on the bumps.
- Cover this with a cotton pad or medical tape.
- Keep this on for three or four hours and rinse off with warm water, gently patting dry with a tissue.
- Follow this remedy thrice or four times a day, leaving it overnight if possible.
- Repeat this for a week and the papules will dry out eventually.
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3. Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is antiseptic in nature, making it an effective molluscum contagiosum home remedy to control the spreadig. Topical application of hydrogen peroxide solution directly onto the affected areas helps to draw out the pus. This causes the bumps to pop, eventually drying out in the process.
For this remedy:
- Dab hydrogen peroxide onto the raised bumps, covering with a bandage soon after.
- Leave this on for about five to seven hours.
- Rinse the affected areas with warm water and gently pat dry with a soft towel.
- Repeat this twice every day.
- Repeat this once a week in order to dry out the papules.
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4. Colloidal oatmeal
In order to soothe irritated and itchy skin caused by molluscum contagiosum, colloidal oatmeal has been proven effective. Colloidal oatmeal is essentially finely ground oatmeal which is rich in fatty acids keeping your skin moisturized. Also, it is anti-inflammatory in nature providing instant relief from itching.
Follow these remedies:
Remedy I
- Add a cup of colloidal oatmeal to a bathtub of lukewarm water.
- Soak in this for fifteen minutes.
- Repeat this thrice a day depending on the severity of your condition.
Remedy II
- Add water to a cup of colloidal oatmeal so as to form a paste.
- Apply this onto the itchy bumps, covering it with a cloth.
- Leave this on for thirty minutes.
- Repeat this once every day.
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5. Grapefruit seed extract
Grapefruit seed extract is antimicrobial and antiviral in nature, making it a wonderful home remedy for molluscum contagiosum. The direct application of this on the affected areas, clears up the bumps and papules, controlling the infection and preventing it from spreading.
Remedy I
- Add in four or five drops of grapefruit seed extract into a teaspoon of water.
- Dip a cotton swab into this solution and dab it on the affected area.
- Cover this with a bandage and leave it on for five or seven hours
- Repeat this process twice every day.
- Follow this remedy for a week until the papules dry up.
Remedy II
- Mix in ten drops of grapefruit seed in about five ounces of water and consume it thrice a day for a few weeks.
Remedy III
- Ingestion of grapefruit seed extract might also prove beneficial in fighting off infections.
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6. Tea Tree oil
Tea tree oil, when combined with organically bound iodine is a safe and effective molluscum contagiosum home remedy, especially in children.
Following are ways in which you can leverage tea tree oil:
Remedy I:
- Soak a ball of cotton in tea tree oil.
- Apply this onto the affected areas.
- Repeat this process three or four times a day for best results.
Remedy II
- Mix four or five drops of tea tree oil in a tablespoon of olive oil.
- Apply this onto the affected areas
- Leave it on for a few hours before rinsing with warm water.
- Repeat this twice a day for a few weeks.
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These home remedies are bound to save you from the menace that is molluscum contagiosum. So be sure you give them a try. Seek medical ssistance if symptoms do not subside even after trying out a molluscum contagiosum home remedy.