Molluscum Stinks.

Molluscum contagiosum...basically, infectious warts that look like little moles that can appear anywhere on the body. Normally contracted in childhood.

I hate this infectious little wart of a disease. I hate it even more that it is ravaging my beautiful daughters' legs.

We first noticed them about a year and a half ago and just thought they were colorless moles or skin tags. Nora would occasionally scratch one and it would bleed. Princess band aid and we were good. She refers to them as her 'owies' or mosquito bites. We've really tried not to make a big deal of it so she wouldn't get self-conscious.

Then a teacher at preschool freaked out this past fall when she saw them on Nora's legs. She knew they are contagious. All the teachers on the preschool playground had to have multiple discussions, repeated inspections of the bumps. Whisper, whisper....

Special visit to the ped. We were told by our pediatrician that her body would eventually fight off the bacteria. No biggie.

The irony in this...Nora has had them for 18+ mths, neither Rich, myself, any family member or any family friends have contracted it.

Do a little more research.

One, children with eczema are more susceptible to this. FANTASTIC!(sarcasm) Nora has had alligator skin almost since birth. Sure she had that soft baby skin too, but her torso and behind the knees would be sandpaper. Used every lotion in the book to try to get rid of it.

Two, do not expose molluscum to cortisone. Cortisone suppresses the immune system and allows the virus to replicate more easily....EVEN BETTER! What did the ped. resort to in the eczema war, prescription cortizone cream.

Three, certain foods will change the bodies chemistry and allow the virus to run more freely.
1. peanuts - ARE you kidding? My barely eats meat kid lives on peanut butter!
2. oranges - so the high fiber OJ she's drinking is not on the meal plan?
I can't remember the other ones right now, but just those two take essentials to her everyday menu away.

The battle is on.

After 18+ mths of these things I'm done. I'm tired of the ped. saying they will just go away. I certainly don't want other people freaking out about it. Or continue to feel like a bad mom for not being more concerned.

So, today I went to the Homeopathic store near us. Got some special ointment they recommended. We will try this first.

If that doesn't work, moving on to Apple Cider vinegar rub downs. My poor child is going to smell like a distillery or bad B.O.

Please, please go away!