Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Having Warts, Psoriasis And Molluscum Contagiosum. Is My Immune System Very Weak?
Question: Dear Doctor,
I need help with my immunity. I am a 34-year old male, who has been facing problems with warts and other skin related issues. I have a long standing psoriasis problem, though very mild. Recently, I have also got molluscum contagiosum, and have it on my face and is a real botheration. My Dermatalogist has suggested cauterization which I will go through this coming Monday. But I am more concerned about my level of immunity. Is my immune system very weak? I catch cold very easily, I am troubled with these skin viruses all the time. No one around me seems to have issues like mine. Even if 1 person out of 100 is affected with a disease mentioned above, I somehow am the only one who gets it always. Everyone else is fine, despite being in touch with me! (physically). I am still troubled by acne and my face has taken a real beating due to the scars. Slightest about of sweet is good enough to give me a boil on my face!
I try to maintain a very healthy lifestyle, I do not drink or smoke. I eat nonveg once every 2 weeks (only chicken). I go to the gym 5 days a week (for 1.5 hours) and perform both Cardio and Weight training. I drink tea twice a day. Do not drink coffee.
Please help me understand my problem and suggest a cure if possible.
Greatfully,
XXXXXXX
I need help with my immunity. I am a 34-year old male, who has been facing problems with warts and other skin related issues. I have a long standing psoriasis problem, though very mild. Recently, I have also got molluscum contagiosum, and have it on my face and is a real botheration. My Dermatalogist has suggested cauterization which I will go through this coming Monday. But I am more concerned about my level of immunity. Is my immune system very weak? I catch cold very easily, I am troubled with these skin viruses all the time. No one around me seems to have issues like mine. Even if 1 person out of 100 is affected with a disease mentioned above, I somehow am the only one who gets it always. Everyone else is fine, despite being in touch with me! (physically). I am still troubled by acne and my face has taken a real beating due to the scars. Slightest about of sweet is good enough to give me a boil on my face!
I try to maintain a very healthy lifestyle, I do not drink or smoke. I eat nonveg once every 2 weeks (only chicken). I go to the gym 5 days a week (for 1.5 hours) and perform both Cardio and Weight training. I drink tea twice a day. Do not drink coffee.
Please help me understand my problem and suggest a cure if possible.
Greatfully,
XXXXXXX
Hi XXXXXXX,
Thanks for sharing your problems with us.
Immunity is the system in the body that help us to fight against micro organisms(bacteria, virus,fungus e.t.c).Like other system of the body the power or strength of immunity can vary from person to person and this difference may be congenital or due to some disease.
To answer your question, No I don’t think you have a weak immunity. A person who actually has that would have severe infections which can be life threatening a well. These patients would include patients with HIV, cancer or those who are receiving certain kind of medications.
As far as the skin infections are concerned, they are more common in people with psoriasis. This is due to the altered immune state, not a state where the immune function is decreased.
Acne has literally nothing to do with immunity as well.
Given the frequent colds, its possible that you are prone to allergies. There are several people who do have frequent allergies but that does not mean that your immunity is weak.
To deal with these problems, I would suggest the following:
a. Keep your face scrupulously clean. Wash your face twice a day and apply an oil free moisturizer. All acne needs to be treated with Benzaclin ointment in the day time and adapalene gel 0.1% in the night time. Dont touch the pimples. They’ll leave scars.
b. For the frequent colds, you should try and identify if you get them more frequently when you’re exposed to something, say dust or when there is a change in season. For this, you can take steam twice a day and speak with your physician about a sodium cromoglycate inhaler.
c. Have a healthy and balanced diet. You should be taking some protein ( in dal, rajma, chana, soya , fish, chicken) in every meal
d. Continue exercising
e. Reduce stress levels. Pranayama and yoga have been found to help
f. Sleep for 7-8 hours a day.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be happy to help
Regards
Dr Sourav Ganguly
Thanks for sharing your problems with us.
Immunity is the system in the body that help us to fight against micro organisms(bacteria, virus,fungus e.t.c).Like other system of the body the power or strength of immunity can vary from person to person and this difference may be congenital or due to some disease.
To answer your question, No I don’t think you have a weak immunity. A person who actually has that would have severe infections which can be life threatening a well. These patients would include patients with HIV, cancer or those who are receiving certain kind of medications.
As far as the skin infections are concerned, they are more common in people with psoriasis. This is due to the altered immune state, not a state where the immune function is decreased.
Acne has literally nothing to do with immunity as well.
Given the frequent colds, its possible that you are prone to allergies. There are several people who do have frequent allergies but that does not mean that your immunity is weak.
To deal with these problems, I would suggest the following:
a. Keep your face scrupulously clean. Wash your face twice a day and apply an oil free moisturizer. All acne needs to be treated with Benzaclin ointment in the day time and adapalene gel 0.1% in the night time. Dont touch the pimples. They’ll leave scars.
b. For the frequent colds, you should try and identify if you get them more frequently when you’re exposed to something, say dust or when there is a change in season. For this, you can take steam twice a day and speak with your physician about a sodium cromoglycate inhaler.
c. Have a healthy and balanced diet. You should be taking some protein ( in dal, rajma, chana, soya , fish, chicken) in every meal
d. Continue exercising
e. Reduce stress levels. Pranayama and yoga have been found to help
f. Sleep for 7-8 hours a day.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be happy to help
Regards
Dr Sourav Ganguly
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Aparna Kohli
Dear Dr. Ganguly,
Thank you for your advise, just one more question. I am scheduled for Cautery for Molluscum removal from my face for this coming Monday. The doctor has told me that she will try to remove as much as she can see. Is there any other treatment or precaution I can take to prevent future episodes?
What are your thoughts on ACV treatment (Apple Cider Vinegar) for Molluscum.
Thank you very much, your advice is very sound and helpful.
Kind Regards,
XXXXXXX
Thank you for your advise, just one more question. I am scheduled for Cautery for Molluscum removal from my face for this coming Monday. The doctor has told me that she will try to remove as much as she can see. Is there any other treatment or precaution I can take to prevent future episodes?
What are your thoughts on ACV treatment (Apple Cider Vinegar) for Molluscum.
Thank you very much, your advice is very sound and helpful.
Kind Regards,
XXXXXXX
Hi XXXXXXX,
Thanks for writing back.
Yes, there are some precautions that you should follow to prevent further disease. Good personal hygiene is a key factor in avoiding transmission of this disease. Molluscum is spread by close personal contact with infected people. Avoid skin-to-skin contact with others in order to prevent transmission.
Transmission has been shown to occur from swimming pools and in the sharing of baths, towels, gym equipment, and benches. So keep
Because the rash can spread by autoinoculation (spread from one part of the body to another by touching the lesions), avoid scratching the lesions.
Because sexual transmission is common in adults, avoid sexual contact with infected people. It is unclear whether condoms are effective in preventing spread of Molluscum.
ACV is showing good result in some of my patients and the overall statistics is also good but is not better than cautery which has a better success rate. Please follow your dermatogist's advice.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help
If you do not have any clarifications and satisfied with my answer then you can close the discussion and please rate the answer.
Wish you good health.
Thank you
Dr Sourav Ganguly
Thanks for writing back.
Yes, there are some precautions that you should follow to prevent further disease. Good personal hygiene is a key factor in avoiding transmission of this disease. Molluscum is spread by close personal contact with infected people. Avoid skin-to-skin contact with others in order to prevent transmission.
Transmission has been shown to occur from swimming pools and in the sharing of baths, towels, gym equipment, and benches. So keep
Because the rash can spread by autoinoculation (spread from one part of the body to another by touching the lesions), avoid scratching the lesions.
Because sexual transmission is common in adults, avoid sexual contact with infected people. It is unclear whether condoms are effective in preventing spread of Molluscum.
ACV is showing good result in some of my patients and the overall statistics is also good but is not better than cautery which has a better success rate. Please follow your dermatogist's advice.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help
If you do not have any clarifications and satisfied with my answer then you can close the discussion and please rate the answer.
Wish you good health.
Thank you
Dr Sourav Ganguly
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Aparna Kohli
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
