The treatment of molluscum contagiosum is individualized depending on the patient’s age, immune status, extent of disease and desire for treatment.
Treatment may include destructive therapies such as curettage, cryotherapy, or cauterization.
Some physicians may also prescribe topical medications to treat the lesions such as cantharidin or tretinoin.
However, in most cases, no treatment is necessary because the lesions usually spontaneously resolve within six to twelve months.
Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV). It causes raised, pearl-like papules or nodules on the skin that are usually pink to flesh-colored and may appear shiny or pearly.
Molluscum contagiosum is most commonly spread by direct person-to-person contact. However, it can also spread through contact with contaminated objects such as clothing, toys or towels. The exception to this is genital molluscum contagiosum which, in adults, is almost always sexually transmitted.
The incubation period, from the time of exposure until symptoms develop, is generally two to seven weeks but can range from two weeks to six months. Some people have no symptoms. Others experience itching and soreness at the infected site.
Small lesions can occur anywhere on the body, including the face, neck, trunk and extremities. Lesions are generally 1-5 mm in size but can be as large as 10 mm. Individual lesions tend to last six to nine months and then go away on their own unless the immune system is compromised by disease such as HIV or cancer treatment. In this instance, lesions may last for many months or years.
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Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV). The virus is transmitted through direct person-to-person contact or by touching objects contaminated with the virus (i.e. towels, clothing, toys). The MCV causes small bumps to form on the skin called mollusca. Mollusca are usually found on the trunk, face, arms and legs but can appear anywhere on the body except the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Lesions will vary in size from 2mm to 6mm in diameter, are translucent with a white core and may be smooth or crusted. They often appear in clusters and can have a raised appearance. The lesions are generally painless but can be itchy.
Mollusca appear anywhere from 1-8 weeks after exposure to MCV and individual lesions usually persist for 3-6 months before spontaneously resolving. New mollusca can continue to appear for up to 12 months after being infected with MCV.
Molluscum contagiosum is a skin disease caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV). It is characterized by round, firm, painless bumps that may be white, pink, or flesh-colored. The bumps typically measure 2-5 mm in diameter, although they may range from 1-10 mm. The number of lesions varies from one to several hundred. Molluscum contagiosum may occur at any age and in any body location but is most common in children and young adults. An infection can affect any part of the body but is most likely to appear on the face, back of the neck and arms, armpits or groin.
The disease can be spread by direct person-to-person contact or indirectly through fomites such as clothing, towels or toys. Molluscum contagiosum is contagious until the lesions are gone. This can take several weeks to many months depending on the individual’s immune system. There are many different treatment options available for this condition; however, most people do not seek medical care and the lesions often disappear within 1 year without treatment.
Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection that causes small, flesh-colored bumps to form on the skin. The bumps may be itchy or sore but are generally painless and harmless. Molluscum contagiosum is contagious, so you can get the infection from direct skin-to-skin contact with someone who has it or from touching infected objects.
The virus can spread to other areas of your body, such as your face and genitals, by scratching the bumps and then touching another part of your body.
Molluscum contagiosum most commonly affects children. In adults, molluscum contagiosum is more likely to appear in people with a weakened immune system due to cancer or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).