Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin infection that occurs mostly in school-aged children. They manifest as small skin bumps, which can occur anywhere on the body. The virus is contagious and is transmitted by direct contact with the affected person’s skin or by sharing towels, clothing, personal items or sports equipment of someone with this infection.
What are molluscum?
Molluscum are small, pink, button-like bumps, umbilicated in the center. They may appear on the face, eyelids, trunk, extremities and genitals, but do not usually affect the palms of the hands or soles of the feet.
This infection only affects the skin and mucous membranes, never the internal organs. The lesions are painless, although sometimes itchy, and last for months or even years. The incubation period of the virus is about 2 to 8 weeks. Scratching or manipulation of the lesions is one of the ways in which the disease spreads. Folded areas, especially axillae, groin and neck are more prone to develop molluscum due to rubbing and friction.
In some patients, the lesions become irritated and reddened. These changes may be a good sign and indicate an activation of the patient’s immune system, which recognizes the virus and begins to resolve the infection. If there is no associated pain or fever, it is unlikely that the molluscum is over-infected.
Are molluscum contagiosum contagious?
Molluscum contagiosum virus is very common in children and occurs less frequently in adolescents and adults. Atopic dermatitis and warm climates are predisposing factors. In adulthood molluscum contagiosum is considered a sexually transmitted disease, but in children it is not.
Diagnosis and prevention of molluscum contagiosum
The Children’s Dermatologist can make the diagnosis by direct visual examination of the skin. In rare cases a biopsy or culture may be necessary. Since the virus is contagious through direct contact, it is advisable to take measures to prevent its spread:
- Prevent your child from scratching or handling the lesions.
- In case of irritation or eczema around the mollusks, topical corticosteroid creams can be applied.
- Do not share towels or personal belongings of affected patients.
- In case of affected siblings, it may be a good idea to bathe them separately.
- Molluscum contagiosum is not dangerous, it is a mild skin infection and there is no justification for keeping the child out of daily school activities.
How are molluscum contagiosum treated?
Once diagnosed, there are numerous methods of treating molluscum contagiosum. The virus usually takes months to years to resolve spontaneously. If they do not cause symptoms, many dermatologists recommend doing nothing and waiting for them to disappear spontaneously. If treatment is needed, there are several options available.
At home treatments for molluscum contagiosum
- Retinoids: these topical drugs are used to irritate the surface of the skin to help activate the patient’s immune system.
- Imiquimod: works in a similar way, but since the degree of irritation produced is usually greater, it is used only in special cases.
- Potassium hydroxide (K OH): this is one of the most popular methods today. This alkali is used to produce irritation and burning in isolation. Its great advantage is that it is almost painless.
In-office treatment for molluscum contagiosum
- Cantharidin: it is a product that comes from a beetle and has the property of producing an important irritation with blister formation. The blister dries up and falls dragging the mollusk.
- Liquid nitrogen: this is the direct freezing of mollusks, similar to that performed on warts. It is an effective but painful method and therefore is not recommended for children.
- Curettage: A sharp-edged spoon is used to detach the molluscum from the skin. It is a good system, but requires some cooperation from the patient and is therefore used mainly in older children and adults.