Molluscum contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum is a skin condition caused by a virus in the pox virus family. It is characterized by the appearance of one or more small bumps on the skin. Molluscum, a harmless infection whose symptoms may subside without treatment, is most common in children and young adults.

Transmission

Molluscum is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. Sexual contact is the most common form of transmission for adults. The infection can also be transmitted by inanimate objects, such as towels or clothing, that come in contact with the bumps. Molluscum can also spread to previously unaffected areas if a bump and then another part of the body is touched.

It is not known for certain how long a molluscum patient is infectious. Researchers assume that the infection can be transmitted as long as bumps are present on the skin, and also for a period of time after they’ve gone away.

Symptoms

The characteristic symptom of molluscum is the presence of one or more smooth, firm, round bumps with a sunken center. These can range in size from 1 to 10 mm and are flesh-colored or red. They often remain unchanged for many months and can eventually disappear without treatment.

Molluscum bumps can appear anywhere on the body. In children they often occur on exposed skin such as the face and hands. If sexually transmitted in adults, the bumps will usually be found on the external genitals, lower abdomen, buttocks, and/or thighs. People with AIDS and others with compromised immune systems may develop extensive outbreaks.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is usually made from the characteristic appearance of the infection. A sample from scraping the bumps can also be examined under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

Most symptoms of molluscum go away on their own, but generally the bumps are removed early for cosmetic reasons. Also, removal of bumps reduces their spread elsewhere on the body and prevents transmission to others.

Freezing the bumps with liquid nitrogen is the primary method of removal, though they can also be removed surgically or treated with a chemical agent. The infection may reappear, though it is unclear whether this is due to a reactivation of the previous infection, the worsening of a different, underlying infection, or simply a new case of molluscum.

Self-treatment can also be tried. Follow these steps, washing hands thoroughly before and after:

1. Soak the skin in warm water until the bump is soft.
2. Squeeze the bump to press out a center core.

Sexual partners with symptoms of molluscum can be examined and treated to prevent further transmission between partners.

Reduce your risk

There are several ways ways to reduce the risk of catching or spreading molluscum. Consider the following:

• Because sexual contact is the most common form of transmission for adults, preventing skin-to-skin contact with an infected partner will be most effective in preventing molluscum.
• Condoms or other barriers may also help reduce the risk of transmission, but these do not protect from contact with other areas such as the scrotum or pubic area.
• To prevent chance of spread, avoid touching the bumps and then touching another part of the body without washing hands first.
• Avoid shaving affected areas: razors can easily spread virus to surrounding skin.