My positive ending to molluscum
Sharing my story
I see a lot of posts talking about the despair that they had managing molluscum and I too did a bit of doom scrolling.
Hoping to share in the end a positive experience to balance out what seems like a lot of negative experiences
I probably started to notice a spot near my frenulum in May. Didn't think too much of it thought maybe it was a sebaceous cyst.
By July I noticed a spot that was raised on the shaft that was definitely different
Had that waxy core inside non tender and non painful non itchy.
I was overseas at the time so didn't have any ease of seeing anyone
I do suffer from eczema and I think this definitely contributed to my later spread.
By the end of my trip in July there were now 8-10 spots all over the shaft. The initial ones I saw hadn't disappeared either.
You read a lot about the different guidelines and how it's self limiting but my frustrating thought is how easily it spreads especially if there has been skin trauma like shaving or with eczema.
I saw a GP at the end of July
Who was a bit dismissive
Told me it looks benign
And even if it's molluscum it's nothing to worry about.
I did push for cryotherapy as I had read it was one of quickest ways
But only on the two initial large spots on the shaft and it was done with a cotton bud with liquid nitrogen
I also asked to see a dermatologist and get a referral but the next avaliable appointment was 5 weeks away.
I read online about the different other treatments but I strictly kept to uses paper towels to dry or hair drier and to be very vigilant with hand hygiene.
I eventually saw my dermatologist who confirmed the diagnosis of molluscum by a dermatoscope.
He recommended a few treatments ranging from cryotherapy or ointments and creams. Cryotherapy with the quickest response
All with the purpose of stimulating your immune system. Stating you don't need to hit all of them only some to trigger the response.
I opted for the cryotherapy which he was able to apply through a spray can device that seemed more accurate and precise.
He purposefully left the areas in frenulum and Glans as they are more sensitive and reinforced you do not need to hit all of them.
The next 2 weeks was a bit of hell with the blistering and itch and I noticed maybe 10-15 more spots that appeared which made me deflated.
I started also taking zinc and vitamin C daily
From an immune and skin support pov.
From week 3 post cryo I started to notice the spots that hadn't been effected turn more red and swollen
Some had turned dark or black.
I took antihistamines to help with the intense itch that I was getting
I used pimple patches to help cover the during the day so it wouldnt spread to other areas
I was very particular using different towels or paper towels to keep the area from being contaminated
I did not shave and tried my best not to scratch
And by the time I had my follow up appointment with my dermatologist there were no more spots they could see to do any more cryotherapy.
He mentioned once you build immunity it's pretty unlikely to come back.
2 weeks post and there hasn't been a new spot so I'm praying that is it.
I think key things are though:
See a dermatologist for accurate diagnosis and the sooner the better
Start whatever process to get your immune system to kick started
Be hygiene conscientious
Stop anything that causes any friction or trauma
Stop doom scrolling if anything but for your mental health
I hope this helps for anyone else that is suffering from this.