Overview

Molluscum contagiosum may be a common painless and typically harmless virus infection of the skin. Although it's painless and typically goes away after several months, some cases can last a couple of years. Molluscum can spread to surrounding skin by scratching or rubbing and may spread to others by skin-to-skin contact or handling contaminated objects like towels, toys, and clothing. Poor hygiene and warm, moist climates encourage the spread of molluscum. Use of public or school swimming pools is related to childhood infections.

Who's at risk?

Adults and teenagers are more often infected by molluscum through sexual contact and have a tendency to possess genital lesions. Children from age 1–5 are most ordinarily affected with lesions appearing on the face, neck, arms, armpits, and hands (but usually not the palms). Patients with eczema could also be more severely suffering from molluscum.

Signs and Symptoms

In adults, the genital, stomach, buttock, and inner thigh areas are more often affected as intimate contact with another is that the typical source of infection. Men are more often affected than women. Adults with defective immune systems (such like HIV) may have severe, extensive infection.

One or more small (1–5 mm) pink, white, or skin-colored, smooth, dome-shaped bumps, often with a small dot or depression within the center, occur in clusters and sometimes during a straight line from scratching and self-inoculation. In patients with a defective system, bumps are often larger than a nickel.

Ø  Mild – under 10 spots

Ø  Moderate – 10–50 spots

Ø  Severe – over 50 spots

Self-Care Guidelines

Treatment in mild infections is usually not required, as molluscum infections goes away on their own. Care should be taken to not scratch or shave the areas. Keep the world covered to avoid transmission of the virus, and avoid sharing clothing, towels, and beds with others. Over-the-counter medications wont to treat warts (with salicylic acid) could also be helpful in removing the bumps, although these treatments also can be irritating.

When to Seek Medical Care

When there's a moderate or severe infection and there's a priority of spread or concern about appearance, seek medical aid.

Treatments Your Physician May Prescribe;

Ø     Removal with freezing (cryosurgery), scraping (curettage), burning (electrocautery), or a laser

Ø     Application of chemicals (a strong acid or alkali) or Cantharone (an extract from a blister beetle)

Ø     Prescription of a cream with either tretinoin (derived from vitamin A) or imiquimod (a prescription product also used to treat warts, another type of viral infection)

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