Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital: Dermatology (skin) Clinic

Please Do Not Refer:

Atopic eczema patients without trial of proper treatment:

• Avoid using anything with colour or smell on the skin (including bubble bath etc)
• Replace all soap with aqueous cream (this is not a moisturizer)
• Use oily moisturizers, such petroleum jelly, 4-6 times daily
• Use an intermittent topical steroid ointment (except with wet eczema where a cream can be used) Eczema lesions on face use hydrocortisone and on body - betamethasone
• Continue steps 1-3 even when eczema is under control.

Molluscum contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is a harmless, common viral infection among children and frequently clears spontaneously without treatment.

A dermatologist would only advise additional treatment for the condition if:

• It does not clear spontaneously after several months
• The child has a weakened immune system
• There is a secondary infection
• Or the child has a secondary skin condition, such as allergies or eczema, that cause the bumps to itch.

Most doctors do not advise the additional treatments available for "quick fixes" because the treatments are painful and cause side effects such as blistering and scarring.

The condition should not prevent the child from attending day care or school and if there is a concern that the infection might spread to other children the bumps can be covered with a watertight dressing that is changed daily.

Do not use wart paint.