Molluscum Contagiosum - Molluscum Contagiosum Information

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin infection that causes raised, pearl-like papules or nodules on the skin.Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection of the skin.Molluscum contagiosum eruptions are usually self-limited and without sequelae, although they can be more extensive in immunocompromised persons. It is not a serious disease and usually clears up within a few months. It can, however, last for up to two years. Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin infection that causes raised, pearl-like papules or nodules on the skin. Molluscum contagiosum can be spread from person to person by direct skin contact. It is harmless and never turns cancerous. Molluscum occurs in children and adults.

Causes of Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a virus that is a member of the poxvirus family. In adults, molluscum is generally seen on the genitals as a transmitted disease. Shaving or scratching may cause the infection to spread. Lesions can occur anywhere on the body. Careful hand-washing is important to prevent spreading of existing lesions to other skin areas.

Symptoms of Molluscum Contagiosum

Itching is the main symptom for many patients. Here are the list of some of the rare Symptoms of Molluscum Contagiosum:

Dimple in center
Initially firm, flesh-colored, pearl-like, dome-shaped
Pink, pearl-like spots on the face, arms and legs, which can be 1 to 5mm in diameter.
Common locations in children: face, trunk, limbs
Common locations in adults: genitals, abdomen, inner thigh

DIAGNOSIS of Molluscum Contagiosum

The diagnosis is based on the typical appearance of the bumps. No diagnostic test for this virus is available.

Treatment of Molluscum Contagiosum

Treatments of Molluscum Contagiosum which may be successful include:

Avoid shaving infected areas. Treatment is done for aesthetic reasons and to prevent spread of the virus. The goal of treatment is to remove the soft center, after which the bump goes away. Your health care provider may use a curette (sharp, spoon-shaped instrument) to remove the centers. Freezing the lesion with liquid nitrogen or nitrous oxide is an alternative treatment.

Molluscum lesions may become red and sore when the body tries to reject the virus. Sometimes a rash appears around the growths. These symptoms are harmless and can be safely ignored.

Larger and troublesome molluscum can be frozen or scraped away under local anaesthesia. Antiseptic applied to the affected areas is helpful only if local infection occurs - which shows as painful red areas around the molluscum spots.

Surgical removal of individual lesions may result in scarring. Medications, such as those used to remove warts, may be helpful in removal of lesions.

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