The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Candida Antigen Immunotherapy
Posted by Abby (Denver, CO) on 12/02/2014
Given the amount of research I did online trying to find a solution for our daugher's molluscum, I had to share the medical cure we finally found. Her case was extreme - the worst the pediatric dermatologist had ever seen with hundreds of bump everywhere but her face. We tried everything: vinegar baths, bleach baths, zymaderm, essential oils (clove, lemon myrtle, tea tree, etc. etc.), duck tape, potassium hydrochloride, tagamet, salicylic acid, and on and on. Nothing worked.
The dermatologist recommended immunotherapy since she had too many to freeze or scrape them off. She injected 3-4 of the bumps with the yeast candida in a specific region at a series of 3 appointments 3 weeks apart. First we injected 3 bumps on her back. The next appointment was 4 on her torso and bottom. And finally 4 on her arms and legs. The results were amazing, but mainly kicked in after the second appointment. They just started to disappear, no matter the developmental stage they were in. The ones she had scratched took longer to heal, but also went away. We are now focused on helping her skin be as healthy as possible so the scars can fade.
I hope this helps others fighting this horrible virus. Please ask for a derm referral and that they do the candida antigen injections. It does an amazing job of stimulating the child's immune system to fight it off. Good luck!
Candida Antigen Immunotherapy
Posted by Renae (Co) on 01/27/2018
Hi Abby, I live two hours from Denver and more poor little 4 year old daughter has this awful virus on her legs and bottom. Can you send me the name of the pediatric Dermatologist in Denver. My daughter's stupid doctor told me over six months ago to ignore them they would go away, she only had 4 then, now she has 50! I wish I had of known then what I do now, I am devastated that her doctor never gave me any more information. I hope you can send along the doctors contact thanks.
Sea Salt, Coconut and Clove Oils
Posted by Sharon (Colorado) on 05/27/2014
★★★★★
I am writing to try to prevent any unnecessary suffering I can by sharing what worked for me to get rid of the god-awful molluscum that has been plaguing me—in A WEEK.
Yep!!
The short answer is this: bathing in Dead Sea Salts/Epsom salts each night (2 cups of salt, soak for at least 30 minutes) and then slathering my body in coconut oil infused with clove oil. I've been suffering from molluscum for 7 months—and spending hours each day for the past 3 months applying bandages soaked in ACV—and the bathing/coconut oil has ridded me of dozens of spots within four days!! So PLEASE try it—it won't hurt or sting like ACV, it won't scar (it's in fact really GOOD for your skin), the coconut oil soothes itching, and your suffering will finally be OVER.
I read about the sea salts and coconut oil on: http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2011/06/27/treating-molluscum/.
(Note: I only used tepid—not hot-- water to bathe in because I was terrified it would spread the virus. I bathed my leg in tepid water for a week to make sure it wouldn't spread before soaking my whole body in the tub. I was also scared that the coconut oil would spread the infection. Neither, thank God, did. I CAN'T SPEAK TO WHETHER BATHING IN HOT WATER WOULD SPREAD IT, THOUGH).
Coconut oil has lauric acid in it which is anti-viral. One study showed it was effective: https://www.vmvhypoallergenics.com/skintelligencenter/published-studies/42-published-studies/76-coconut-oil-extract-2-monolaurin-cream-in-the-treatment-of-molluscum-contagiosum
I bought Extra Virgin Coconut Oil and added 10 drops of clove oil for each tablespoon of coconut oil (had to warm it in the microwave to make it spreadable). You can dab the clove oil directly on spots and they will often scab in a few hours (thought the spots will sting). I also added 10 drops of something called “Thieves Oil” which has clove oil, cinnamon oil, lemon oil, and eucalyptus; this smelled great and the cinnamon oil seemed to improve the circulation.
Meanwhile, internally, take Tagamet (Cimetidine), which will enhance T-Lymphocytic activity. I took 400mg 3 times a day!! It definitely didn't make my spots disappear, but it did keep them from reaching mature size. By the time I found the sea salt and coconut oil/clove oil treatment, I had dozens of small spots. (My derm froze the first set of spots—which were twice as big as pimples—and left scars. I don't know why, but after she treated them, I found new spots popping up all over my body. But the Cimetidine seemed to keep them small; few ever developed a visible white core. I think the sea salt and coconut oil /clove oil worked so quickly because the Cimetidine kept the spots so small.)
Also, Colostrum (or Lactoferrin) will enhance your immune system. I also took 10,000 IU Vitamin D, Zinc, Vitamin C, Oregano Oil (which has anti-viral activity) and Holy Basil; who knows whether they did anything.
I have heard that there are four different strains of molluscum and that they look different and likely respond to different treatments. My mature molluscum (the first round) looked like really large pimples, not dimpled warts. This sea salt bath and coconut oil/clove oil moisturizing treatment worked wonders for these spots—and SO FAST!! I hope you try it because I want to spare you the months of misery I went through before I discovered this.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by Tw (Usa) on 01/04/2017
Hi! I bought the GSE and was just curious as to how you applied it (especially if it's a cluster) and if you did anything/put anything on top of it to keep it from soaking into clothes (I didn't know if that maybe made it less potent on the bumps). Thank you so much in advance for the help!!!
Oregano Oil
Posted by Patricia (Chicago, IL) on 05/19/2014
★★★★★
Just wanted to give an update on my progress with oregano oil. It is May 19, I have been using oregano oil applied directly to the bumps 2 times a day, since April 3rd, just over 6 weeks. I started out with 19 bumps, I now have 1 left which is changing in appearance very red around the edges and coming to a head, which indicates it should dry up in the next day or 2. This by far has been the most successful and easiest treatment that I have tried since acquiring molluscum. I highly recommend you use oregano oil.
Oregano Oil
Posted by Patricia (Chicago, IL) on 04/29/2014
★★★★★
I have tried everything fighting this virus for 5 months. Finally April 3,2014 I decided to try oregano oil. This is the most promising thing I have tried. It has been 3 weeks and 2 of them are completely gone and the rest of them are drying up, but the most amazing thing is none have popped up as the others disappeared which I have found to be the case with many other treatments. I do wish I would have found this sooner. I apply a thin layer to all of the bumps and that's it. I can't feel a thing, no burning, irritation and no mess... I also put 2 drops under my tongue and let it absorb then either spit it out or swallow, but it does burn a little on the tongue when you try to swallow with a strong flavor so maybe not the oral part for children or definitely follow it with some water. The burning does go away pretty quick. I do hope someone finds this helpful.
Oregano Oil
Posted by Patricia (Chicago) on 05/12/2014
So I thought I would give an update on my progress with oregano oil because I am having great results. I started with oregano oil April 3, at that point I had 19 bumps. I have applied oregano oil religiously in the morning and in the evening every day since. It took at least 3 weeks to know they were going away, but they started looking different a week into the treatment. By May 1,7 of them had come to a head dried up and disappeared leaving a little red mark, which the mark from the first one to disappear has almost completely faded. Today May 12, I only have 5 left so a total of 14 have gone. I have not gotten any new bumps since starting the oregano, even after the others have gone. It seems that many of them have disappeared in the last 2 weeks. So be patient. The oregano oil is definitely the most effective of everything I have tried. I'm hoping the remaining 5 will be completely gone in the next week. Not bad for a total of 6 weeks. Compared to the 5 months I have been fighting this with every other concoction. I will post again when all clear. Oh and they say you can not get them on your palms. That is not true. I had 1 on each of my palms. So be careful....
Thuja Occidentalis
Posted by Amy (Chicago) on 02/07/2014
★★★★★
I just wanted to share what I have found to work the best for me in this seemingly endless battle with mc. I know how frustrating it is and how desperately you search for answers. So I hope that I can help many of you but even if one person is helped I will be happy. I tried many of the remedies, which seemed as though they may be working only to have new colonies develop just when I thought the old ones were almost gone.. I tried ACV, silver, grapefruit seed extract internally and topically and tea tree oil topically. I fought for nearly 2 months with no true progress, one step forward was always followed by 2 steps back. If this pattern continued it could take months if not years to get rid of it. That is not an option, I need my life back!! I was getting very frustrated with all the time I was spending treating and cleaning up so my family would not get it not to mention all the time researching for the best cure. Molluscum was consuming my life. I researched and researched desperate for a better way.
If you want to end this battle you need to try thuja occidentalis immediately. It is a homeopathic remedy you can get at the health food/supplement store. I use the 30c. It is only about $6 a bottle. I may need to buy a few bottles, but it will definitely be worth it if I can be mc free. Adults take 5 sugar tabs 3 times a day according to the bottle, not sure what the children's dose is. But they are very easy you just let the little sugar tabs melt in your mouth. How easy is that?? I have been taking them for 8 days now. Any bumps I had are clearly drying up and disappearing. There have been no new colonies develop. This is the one remedy I have seen this much progress with. The progress I am having makes me very hopeful I will be mc free very soon. I will post when I am bump free because I know how hopeless it can feel. I encourage you to do your own research to determine if this is an appropriate option for you, it is definitely worth it.. I only wish I had known about this 2 months ago, I would have saved myself a lot of time and aggravation.
Thuja Occidentalis
Posted by Eva (Sydney) on 06/01/2014
We had the same experience when our little boy caught molluscum at pre-school. We thought it was just a rash but it got worse and worse. After many months we took him to a medical specialist who suggested either minor surgery or just leave it and do nothing! ... and we paid her good money for the advice.
The problem with the advice from doctors to just leave it is that it is contagious. So then his little sister caught it followed by our new born. It wasn't long until my husband and I also caught it.
We understandably had had enough by this stage - late as it was. We researched the net and talk to our mothers in detail and it turns out that there is and has been a natural cure for molluscum bumps for decades. We used apple cider vinegar, clove oil and we covered them over. It took a while because by this stage the children had hundreds of bumps each but we got on top of these horrid little bumps.
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Leah (St. Louis, Mo) on 12/08/2013
My 5 year boy old was diagnosed with Molluscum Contagiosum four days ago and I started treating it with straight Tea Tree oil right away. I apply it every time he goes to the bathroom, about 3 or 4 times a day. His MC began as a patch of raised bumps in the crease of his thigh/groin. Since it is my first experience with this stressful affliction, and his MC is in patch not seperate lesions, I would really be grateful if someone would tell me what new lesions look like so I can watch out for other lesions on my son (or on my other 4 children). So far his patch is looking redder and some of the white cores have come out, so I think we're on the right track. I keep checking him everywhere for new flair ups, but I am not sure what to look for. Hopefully this works and I can keep the rest of my family free of MC.
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Kay (Destin Fl) on 12/10/2013
There are good photos on WedMD.com
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Fotini (Il, US) on 02/03/2015
I've read the posts on how to treat Mollusum Contigiosum - and I have tried Tea Tree oil on my 2 year old who has been infected with this. Since I've been applying a balm I made with Tea Tee oil and Coconut oil, her bumps are becoming red and popping. A hard puss is coming out followed by some blood. I have treated the wound and cover it up with a spray bandage so that it doesn't spread. But I can't find any literature about whether this is normal and that the MC pops eventually. The dermatologist said to burn them off, but I don't want to do that. Am I doing something wrong? Is this normal? Are there any other home safe remedies that anyone has found useful?
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 02/05/2015
Dear Fotini,
I have not dealt with Molluscum Contagiosum before, so I really do not know if this is a normal course of healing. Sometimes infections do "come to a head" and bleed and then heal. I am wondering how the spots look now? Is the redness improving?
I have used tea tree and coconut oil on my children for other skin infections with success. I am hoping that the spots are improving by now. If not, you might try diluted Apple Cider Vinegar on the spots. You could even do that before applying the tea tree/coconut oil mixture.
We have also found baking soda baths to be helpful for a number of children's conditions. When my children had chicken pox, it helped them a lot. I would put 1 cup of baking soda into a warm bath and have them soak at least 20 minutes. I think the body must absorb some and improve the ph of the body, thus helping it to heal better.
Let us know how it goes!
~Mama to Many~
Clove Oil
Posted by Nicole (Ma) on 11/14/2013
★★★★★
Clove oil seems to be working for my 7 year old son! It's been only 5 days some have gone away quicker than others! They seem to be coming to a head and easily pulled off! Does burn a bit but not as bad as having them burned off!
Lemon Myrtle and Tea Tree Oils, Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Deseri (West, Texas) on 06/26/2013
★★★★★
First use a zinc cream surrounding the molluscum bump then use a mixture of lemon myrtle oil diluted to aproximately 1% with a 5% of tea tree oil (for moisture and soothing) in either a base oil or simply water, spray the mixture (if water used) or dab with a qtip only on the spot specifically. Also, using a cup of apple cider vinegar in the bath, with a tea tree oil soap and baking soda scrub makes an insane difference in the moluscum coming back. the first mixture will kill the particular spot the Apple Cider Vinegar will reinforce the deadening and prevent reocurrance, the tea tree soap helps wash away the residue on top of the skin to keep from spreading and keep the surrounding skin moist and not irritated by the Apple Cider Vinegar and lemon myrtle.
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Naveed (Karachi, Pakistan) on 04/09/2013
★★★★★
Molluscum Contagiosum: Tea tree oil worked 100% for me. it was like Godsend for me.
MC were in dozens on my face and some on chest and back. I got tea tree oil (diluted) from a store and applied directly on them twice a day.
When I bathed I used tea tree face wash. I also didn't shave for few weeks and kept my face dry. In few weeks they were gone like they never appeared.
I also use tea tree oil as mosquito repellant (work for few hours).
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Saad (Karachi, PK) on 03/31/2014
Naveed, I'm going through this pathetic MC, need to know where you got tea tree oil and soap.... need your assistance to get tea tree oil and soap.
Molluscum Contagiosum Treatment Tips
Posted by Snusnu (Commerce, Ca/usa) on 02/16/2013
★★★★☆
Found out I had MC on my genitals a few days ago and been reading all the other comments on health blogs so far I have been getting some results with the treatment that I have been administering on myself:
-definently be sure to change towels, razors, throw out bar soap, and replace loofas
-be sure not so shave because that will spread the mc
-be careful using apple cider vinegar it is very agitating to the skin, applying it with a cotton pad and leaving it on my skin has not been worth the discomfort and burning. I suggest to apply Apple Cider Vinegar as a spot treatment but to not leave it on the skin. Cleaning sensative areas with wiping pads dipped in a solution of sea salt, acv, and water has been helpful and not as harsh
-I found that applying tea trea oil has been affective over the past two days as well, and it is a far less harsh treatment than avc, I am also incorporating clove oil as an additional spot treatment
-use medical tape to cover the skin to keep treatment in place, as well as to prevent spreading of mc.
-carefully peel away and change tape with every treatment
So far I have noticed that some of the mc have burst on their own, leaving little black tabs that come off with the tape, I am still having an issue with new ones popping up but it seems that the old ones are starting to dry up and die. This treatment was done over the course of 3 days hoping that with the continuation I will be making a full recovery soon. I am also left with a layer of brown dead skin but I believe its nothing some exfoliation will not get rid of. Hope this is helpful to anyone else suffering from mc
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Brandi (Conway, Ar) on 01/31/2013
I have read so many entries about MC and I have to say I am mad at myself for not searching for a home remedy before now! My 3 year old daughter has had this well over a year. I took her to the derm and like you all have said, nothing they can do they will go away. Well we started out with a few and then quickly moved to 20-30 and are now up to prob 100 or so. They are horrible looking as some have blistered or scabbed and popped. She complains of them hurting and itching. I would like to try the ACV but scared it will burn her. I have recently started using the tea tree oil and it seems to be helping. I noticed after using it once there were a few that blistered and popped and scabbed up. This stuff is a nightmare!!!!!! I will try the ACV and see what happens! Thank you all for the advice :)
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Rey (Melbourne, Australia) on 11/13/2012
I start to noticed that my son had an MC and it was mostly on his thigh and legs around 80 of them. He was 10 y.o. I think he got it from his swimming lesson. I had to stop his lesson after learning from it. We consulted the doctor and it was confirmed. We're told that we do not need to do anything and it will just go away. He even referred us to a pedeatric dermatologist but the waiting period was 6 months( typical Melbourne health service).
Then I search the internet and saw this site. I learned a lot and applied the medications. The first week showed a lot of improvement. These is what I did.
Shower in the evening and applied the ACV on every MC. I used cotton balls by getting a small piece of it. Just enough to cover the MC.
Cover the affected thigh and legs with a bondage to hold the cotton balls. Smells vinegar on the first few days but better than having MC! Washed the bondage so it can be re-used.
Shower in the morning to get rid of vinegar smell and applied the papaya cream. The cream is for the skin not to get dry and get rejuvinated from the burn of the ACV. Dry skin cracks and the virus nows has an opening to get in and spreads.
Always changed the towel and PJs after used to stop the spreading.
When the MC become a blister and burst I always applied honey. To help the tissues to recover and heals quickly. I used a small container and put a teaspoon of honey and used cotton tip. Used a different tip for every single MC that burst. Scabs will form after a day or two.Bed sheets has to be replaced every week. You need a lot of patience to combat this MC. The MC was gradually reducing. Only thing left was a scaring and a bit discoloration on the skin. It will become normal after a few weeks. After 3 months of battle we finally won.
What I don't understand is why the medical profession always says "You do not need to do anything. It will go away".
Aromatherapy
Posted by Bess (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) on 10/19/2012
A mother wrote an interesting blog entry using aromatherapy to cure her toddler's molluscum contagiosum. It's very informative and she posts photos of her little boy and his progress. It did take several months but the spots haven't come back. It's posted on a site that sells essential oils but you can buy essential oils just about anywhere these days. It's the information that is useful. For what it's worth:
http://naturesgiftaromatherapy.blogspot.ca/2012/09/more-on-molluscum-contagiosum.html
Lemon myrtle is usually applied to adult skin but the mother found it too harsh on her son so she used Ravensara in Calophyllum.
Hope this helps someone.
Colloidal Silver
Posted by Relieved Mom (San Francisco, Ca) on 09/23/2012
★★★★★
My 8 year old son got MC about last winter and it spread like mad over the summer. First we tried apple cider vinegar - it worked a little but burned and itched. He also had so many lesions that I was concerned about spreading them every time I used a cotton ball to dab the ACV on. Tried clove oil (no change at all), tea tree oil (dried his skin out and itched), and boosted his immunity with vitamins and probiotics. Nothing worked until we tried Colloidal Silver. Within 2 days of ingesting 1 tsp/day and spraying his body topically, almost half of the lesions in his armpit (which was covered) were gone. He was also pain free from the itching and burning. We are 4 days in and every day the improvement is tremendous. I bought it over the counter at Whole Foods and can't believe the change. He is thrilled and I am so relieved that something finally worked!
Colloidal Silver
Posted by Ally (Bc, Canada) on 01/26/2015
My daughter has had molluscum since August 2014 and it starting to spread to her face. I am freaking out!! I have tried apple cider vinager but it burns her and I feel so bad :( it's a battle getting it on her. I purchased the colloidal Silver. Does it cure molluscum?
Clove Oil
Posted by Amandap (Southern California, California) on 09/20/2012
We have been trying the clove oil mixed with wheat germ oil (both are supposed to be good for immunity and antiviral) once a day after a shower for the past week on my three year old. The spots which had been spreading up his side into his armpit are going away, but unfortunately the bumps are still spreading. I would recommend trying the clove oil for the body, however, I would not use this oil on the face near the eyes. The oil is strong and I am still working out if it is too strong to put on the bumps directly. The major plus about it is that it doesn't dry out the skin as badly as the Apple Cider Vinegar applications which we tried for about two weeks with lots of crying because it burned... Even when diluted.