Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum Contagiosum is a common skin infection caused by a virus that affects the top layers of the skin. Often the virus enters the skin through small breaks in the hair follicles, and these are easily spread by skin contact.
Molluscums are usually small, flesh- to pink-colored dome-shaped growths that often have a small indentation in the centre and can often become red or inflamed. These usually occur in clusters especially around folds in the arms, legs, chest, abdomen and buttocks, and can even involve the face and eyelids. They are particularly common in young children, especially among siblings. Molluscum can also be sexually transmitted if present in the genital area.
Molluscum Contagiosum is benign and generally self-limiting. Any one lesion may appear for about two months, but some growths may develop as others resolve. It may take anywhere between six months up to five years for all molluscum to go away.
Related Treatment(s):
Biopsy / Skin Surgery
Cryotherapy
How to prevent molluscum?
Active molluscum are infectious and can be spread by direct skin-to-skin contact, shared towels/items, and spread into another site by scratching or shaving. Molluscum can also be sexually transmitted if present in the genital area. Transmission could be reduced by avoiding sharing of towels and clothing, covering visible molluscums with clothing or watertight bandages, and avoiding scratching or shaving of the affected area. Adults with genital molluscum should practice safe sex or abstinence.
How to treat molluscum?
Molluscum may go away on its own in healthy individuals so in many cases no specific treatment is required. Treatment may be performed to reduce transmission and spread, or when molluscum are highly visible or causing discomfort. There is no single effective treatment for molluscum, but the common goal is to induce an inflammatory response to fight the virus, or to physically destroy visible lesions. Your dermatologist will discuss the pros and cons of different treatments in determining which is the most suitable for you or your child.
Medical treatments include:
．Tre tinoin cream
．Benzoyl peroxide gel/cream
．Wart paints containing salicylic acid
．Immunomodulator 5% cream (unproven)
Physical treatments include:
．Cryotherapy (freezing) with liquid nitrogen
．Curettage (scraping off with a sharp instrument) and application of iodine
．Electrocautery
．Laser therapy