subject: Plant Medicine for Molluscum Contagiosum [print this page] Plant Medicine for Molluscum Contagiosum Plant Medicine for Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is characterized by small pearly papules with a central depression whose core may be expressed, producing a white cheesy material. The lesions average 2 to 5 mm in size and are usually painless, but may become inflamed, red, and swollen. Molluscum contagiosum is a self-limited infection; the papules usually disappear spontaneously within 6 to 12 months but may take as long as 4 years to resolve. The infection is found worldwide but is more common in developing countries and has traditionally been regarded as a pediatric disease. Successful vaccination against smallpox in infancy is not protective. Little has been verified with regard to the incubation period; however, it is estimated to be between 2 weeks and 6 months.
Patients with HIV/AIDS and other immunocompromised conditions can develop "giant" lesions, larger numbers of lesions, and lesions that are more resistant to standard therapy. The following diseases should be considered in the differential diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum: basal cell carcinoma, keratoacanthoma, histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, and verruca vulgaris. For genital lesions, condyloma acuminata and vaginal syringoma should be considered. Atopic dermatitis may be a risk factor for contracting molluscum contagiosum due to the barrier breaks and immune cell dysfunction in atopic skin. In addition, these patients may be more likely to autoinoculate new areas of skin because of the underlying pruritus from their atopy.
Molluscum contagiosum lesions have recently come to be classified in one of three ways: the commonly seen skin lesions found largely on the faces, trunks, and limbs of children; the sexually transmitted lesions found on the abdomen, inner thighs, and genitals of sexually active adults; and the diffuse and recalcitrant eruptions of patients with AIDS or other immunosuppressive disorders. Diagnosis is generally made based on the appearance of lesions. Skin biopsy may be necessary in immunocompromised patients to exclude other conditions such as malignancy or endemic fungal infections. This finding may also be observed on Giemsa-stained core material expressed onto a glass slide.
Although lesions due to molluscum are usually benign and resolve without scarring, scarring may occur from excoriation during the natural healing process in up to 7% of patients or after excessive curettage. For this reason, curettage is often not recommended in otherwise healthy individuals. Secondary infections may be a problem in immunocompromised patients, such as those with HIV/AIDS or those taking immunosuppressive drug therapies. In these cases, treatment to prevent further spread of the infection is recommended. In recent years, medical professionals and the general public have been showing greater interest in the development of plant medicines for molluscum contagiosum.
The health care system of America has many drawbacks; the health care costs rise year after year; the economic burden is too high; additionally, western medicine and synthetic drugs are not a panacea and can not meet the requirements of the people. All these factors encourage them to find a new way. Many people in America don't have health insurance and taking medicine is a major economic burden for them. For some common diseases or mild diseases, it's the most economical choice to take plant medicine in accordance with the symptoms. In addition, although synthetic drugs are effective, they have much side effects with high price. Some ailments could not be treated by synthetic drugs.
It's a new social fashion that you should put emphasis on physical health and often take a variety of health medicines such as vitamine, mineral, plant medicine and so on. The tide of backing to nature is rising in the world especially in the United States and usage of natural plant medicine is consistent with this idea. What's more, people gradually tend to self-treatment and do not want to rely entirely on the treatment from doctors. The higher level of education, the more strongly this idea. Plant medicines are food supplements and free to buy and take, thus fully meeting the requirements of public self-treatment.
A series of clinical trials for plant medicine conducted in Europe and America have approved that the efficacy of plant medicine is conclusive with scientific pharmacology to illustrate, which enhances the confidence of the people. 50%-60% of the public think that herbal therapy is effective and 70%-80% think that plant medicines come from nature and are safer than synthetic drugs with little side effect. The application of plant medicine played an important role in treating molluscum contagiosum and other skin diseases. To learn more, please go to http://www.naturespharma.org.
