Molluscum is a common skin infection caused by a virus, molluscum contagiosum. It is contagious and spreads by direct contact. Molluscum can also be spread through sexual contact, although genital molluscum is rare. It can occur in people of all ages, but it is most common in young children.
Molluscum occurs more often in individuals with weakened immune systems and may spread more rapidly and last longer in these individuals. Persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection may develop widespread molluscum that does not respond to treatment.
A person with molluscum may have anywhere from one to several hundred lesions. The bumps are flesh-colored or pink and shiny, with a small indentation on top. They are usually painless and range in size from 1 mm to 1 cm (0.1 inch). They sometimes itch or become irritated when rubbed by clothing. The bumps usually go away on their own over several months or years but may persist for years in individuals with weakened immune systems or those who are receiving therapies that suppress the immune system, such as those taking high doses of steroids or those receiving radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
Molluscum contagiosum is easily spread to
Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection of the skin that causes either single or multiple raised, pearl-like bumps (papules) on the skin. It is a chronic infection, and lesions may persist from a few months up to four years.
Molluscum contagiosum can occur at any age but is most common in children 1 to 10 years of age. It is not unusual for young children with molluscum contagiosum to develop scabies infestation at the same time. The mollusca are easily spread by autoinoculation (spreading to other areas by touching) or by contact with contaminated objects such as clothing, towels, or toys. The incubation period (time from exposure to onset of symptoms) varies from two weeks to six months.
Molluscum contagiosum is a mild skin infection caused by a virus. It results in clusters of small, firm, flesh-colored bumps called mollusca. Each bump, or lesion, is round, has a dimple in the center, and may be surrounded by redness. Generally, mollusca are not painful and can go away without treatment within 6 to 12 months.
Molluscum contagiosum is contagious (i.e., it spreads from person to person). The virus that causes molluscum can spread from one part of your body to another by contact with the infected skin or by contact with items that have touched the infected skin (for example, towels, toys, clothing). The virus can also spread to other people when the infected person scratches or picks at the lesions and then touches someone else’s skin. Molluscum contagiosum may be mistaken for pimples or eczema.
Molluscum contagiosum is most common in children but can occur in adults as well. People who have weakened immune systems are also more likely to develop this infection. Molluscum contagiosum is common in people with HIV/AIDS; it occurs less often in healthy adults than in children
Molluscum contagiosum is a common skin infection. The cause of molluscum contagiosum is a virus that can spread through direct contact or through contaminated objects. It can be spread to other parts of your body and to other people.
The virus causes raised, pearl-like bumps on the skin. These are painless but can become itchy and inflamed. The bumps usually go away without treatment in 6 to 12 months. However, some cases can last longer than a year.
Most people do not need treatment for molluscum contagiosum, because the bumps usually go away on their own over time. If you have molluscum contagiosum, you should avoid infecting others by not sharing towels or clothes that may touch the skin lesions. You should also avoid scratching or picking at the bumps so as to prevent spreading the infection to other areas of your body or to other people.
Signs and symptoms of molluscum contagiosum include small, round growths (papules) on the skin that may:
Be pink, white, tan or reddish
Have a dimpled center containing a plug that looks like a tiny worm (the plug is made up of infected cells and pus)
Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection of the skin that causes round, firm, painless bumps ranging in size from a pinhead to a pencil eraser. The bumps may appear anywhere on the body, but are most common on the face, neck, armpits, arms, and hands. They are also commonly found around the genitals and rectal area. At first glance, these bumps may be mistaken for warts.
Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a virus that is spread through direct skin-to-skin contact or contaminated objects. The virus can also be spread through sexual contact. The bumps usually go away on their own after several months to years. Some cases last longer or recur over many years. Sometimes treatment is needed if the infection is widespread or troublesome.
Molluscum contagiosum is contagious and spreads easily to other parts of the body or to others through direct contact with the bumps or touching an object that has been in contact with them (fomites). It can be caught by sharing towels or clothing, swimming pools and saunas.
Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection that causes raised, pearl-like papules or nodules on the skin. It is a relatively common infection of the skin that is caused by a poxvirus called the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV). The lesions produced by this virus are usually small, flesh-colored, dome-shaped, and pearly in appearance. Most cases of molluscum contagiosum occur in children between the ages of 1 and 10 years, but it can affect people of any age. Molluscum contagiosum is usually harmless, but it can be unsightly and spread to other areas of skin or to other people.
Molluscum contagiosum often clears up without treatment within 6 to 12 months, but treatment may be helpful if the lesions are bothersome or if you want them gone sooner