Molluscum....

[Lawson2]

Hello!

How would you being this up to parent, if at all?...

I nannied for a family for years. They are great, but the mom is oblivious to any ailments her children may have. For instance, I caught head lice from them after a notice came home from their classroom. It wouldn't have been too bad, but weeks went by with the kids itching their heads (insisting to me, they don't have lice), when finally, I checked and saw lice right away. There has been other issues with their diets, etc... This isn't too much of a concern to me anymore, as I only care for them in their vacations, etc....

Well... Last summer, I cared for the boys for three weeks. Right away, I noticed about 30 bumps all over their knees. Both boys had them. I asked what they were and they told me nothing, they have had them "forever". I was concerned for my child, so I covered them up, but this was after the boys were picking at them. And the bandaids kept falling off... Needless to say, my son soon came down with the same looking thing on his knee and a few months later, one on his back. I thought they may be flat warts or molluscum. Winter came, and my son was covered up and I monitored them, hoping they would go away (and we only saw the boys again for a couple of weeks in the winter).
I noticed a couple of new "warts" developed on my son. With spring here and me just having new baby, I took him to the doctors. They were indeed molluscum. The doctor didn't seem phased and said they would go away on their own. With my son just developing a couple of more, I was afraid they would spread (and I was paranoid I had it and would pass it on to the baby). I looked online and ended up getting rid of them with Apple cider vinegar. This worked, but it wasn't fun. It burned his skin... I also put it on me for any spots I thought may be molluscum, although I didn't go to the doctors to confirm if I had it. Overall, we don't want them again!

This leaves me to the question of the boys.... The mom would like to see the new baby and she would like me to care for the boys a few weeks in the summer. I am almost positive this all started from the boys and the numerous spots they had on their knees.

How would you bring his up to mom, if at all? I don't want the cycle to start all over again (not to mention exporting the
new baby). But, I feel awkward asking the mom if the boys have "spots" on their knees. I am pretty sure she is oblivious to them anyway.... What would you say?

Thanks for your input!

[organicdclady]

My son got molluscum when he was about 3. They started in his armpit then moved to his hands. I was so freaked out I took him to the doctor right away. The doctor said that it is so contagious you can get it from physical contact but also from toys or even a pool. They eventually went away on their own. He maybe had 10 spots in all.
Unfortunately, if the originally infected children still have them, there is not really a way to make sure the molluscum won't be spread. I would consult with the mother and question if the children have it. If they do, you have to decide if it is worth spreading it to your new baby because chances are it will be spread. In my sons case it wasn't actually that bad. He was not bothered by them and they didn't itch or anything. More recently I came into contact with a young child who had them covering her whole left cheek. It was a terrible sight. Knowing that can happen I would be extremely cautious caring for a child with molluscum.

[daycarediva]

I would just say no, you're no longer nannying. No, you're only caring for infants/toddlers now with a new little one.

NO. This Mom's lack of concern for her children is startling, and it's not something I would entertain.

[Josiegirl]

Am I the only one who has never heard of this?
I would be honest with the mom and say something like 'I'm a bit hesitant to bring this up but do your sons have _____, by any chance? I saw some on their knees and then when some appeared on me, I went to the doctor to get it checked out. They're highly contagious and just wanted to give you a head's up.'
Something to that effect. And if she asks again about getting together, I'd simply tell her not until everyone has been deemed contagious free, due to such a small baby.

[Play Care]

Am I the only one who has never heard of this?
I would be honest with the mom and say something like 'I'm a bit hesitant to bring this up but do your sons have _____, by any chance? I saw some on their knees and then when some appeared on me, I went to the doctor to get it checked out. They're highly contagious and just wanted to give you a head's up.'
Something to that effect. And if she asks again about getting together, I'd simply tell her not until everyone has been deemed contagious free, due to such a small baby.

Another provider I know got them from her dck. Apparently in adults they present in the genital area and are often confused with Herpes.

[Ariana]

I would write a nice email detailing everything. It saves you from having to think on the fly and gives you the ooportunity to address everything without interruption.

"Hello mom, the last time I was with your boys I noticed bumps on their knees which ended up spreading to my son. A Dr confirmed it to be molluscum. Luckily I was able to get rid of them for my son and they did not spread to the baby. However I noticed that your boys still have these bumps and I do not feel comfortable bringing my newborn baby around at this time. I also will not be able to provide care for your boys until they get a physical guaranteeing their health. I appreciate your understanding in this matter as my childrens health is of utmost importance to me. Let me know if this works for you or if you will be seeking alternate care for your boys......"

I personally would be dropping this family like a hot potato.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I would write a nice email detailing everything. It saves you from having to think on the fly and gives you the ooportunity to address everything without interruption.

"Hello mom, the last time I was with your boys I noticed bumps on their knees which ended up spreading to my son. A Dr confirmed it to be molluscum. Luckily I was able to get rid of them for my son and they did not spread to the baby. However I noticed that your boys still have these bumps and I do not feel comfortable bringing my newborn baby around at this time. I also will not be able to provide care for your boys until they get a physical guaranteeing their health. I appreciate your understanding in this matter as my childrens health is of utmost importance to me. Let me know if this works for you or if you will be seeking alternate care for your boys......"

I personally would be dropping this family like a hot potato.

Great letter!

A little boy with more than 50 came here last year and I had him wearing pants. Mom researched and bought some natural medication ($20 range) and it cleared up all of them quickly! Something to suggest, perhaps, if you're feeling inclined to.

[Unregistered]

No way would I let this continue. What's going to be the next thing to be spread? Nope, sorry...not nannying anymore, space already full, whatever. No, no, and NO!

[MunchkinWrangler]

Am I the only one who has never heard of this?
I would be honest with the mom and say something like 'I'm a bit hesitant to bring this up but do your sons have _____, by any chance? I saw some on their knees and then when some appeared on me, I went to the doctor to get it checked out. They're highly contagious and just wanted to give you a head's up.'
Something to that effect. And if she asks again about getting together, I'd simply tell her not until everyone has been deemed contagious free, due to such a small baby.

They are a form of chicken pox from what I heard and highly contagious.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

They are a form of chicken pox from what I heard and highly contagious.

None of my other 11 enrolled children got them, including his brother who bathed with him (which is considered a no no as they can contagious in water).

[Blackcat31]

In all my years as a provider I have had (currently enrolled now) ONE child with this. A doctor's child.

It is not really that big of a deal unless the infection is bad and/or if the child picks or scratches.

For exclusion for child cares and schools there really isn't any and the only advice given is to make sure the bumps are either covered with a bandage or clothing.

The child I have is the youngest of a family of 3. I had the older siblings too and have the cousins of this family in care too and NO ONE else has ever gotten them...including the family members.

Here is a fact sheet that does a great job explaining what it is and how it's treated etc.

http://www.hennepin.us/~/media/hennepinus/residents/health-medical/infectious-diseases-fact-sheets/molluscum-provider.pdf?la=en

[MunchkinWrangler]

I just know in my years working for a med spa that we had to be very careful when someone had this condition. Normally the individual has to be on antibiotics, that can lower the instance of spreading it but not totally.

I feel as long as people are responsible about their current health conditions, it's not a big deal. That is what I know of it. We also had people with MRSA who weren't being properly treated, the list goes on and on. That job made me the germaphobe I am today!