Molluscum contagiosum is a common viral infection of the skin and causes the appearance of round, firm but painless bumps, usually the size of a pencil eraser. A skin infection is a contagious disease and can spread to the surrounding skin if these bumps are scratched. This disease is common in children with weakened immune systems, but can also occur in adults; This disease is considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD) if it involves the genitals. Molluscum contagiosum usually resolves on its own, but recognizing the symptoms of this disease can help with treatment and prevent misdiagnosis with other, more serious illnesses.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Recognizing the Symptoms of Molluscum Contagiosum
Step 1. Identify who is at risk of contracting it
Molluscum contagiosum is fairly common, so you likely know someone who has it. This disease does not only attack children, but is common in children aged 1-10 years whose immune system is weakened due to malnutrition or other diseases. Others are more at risk of contracting skin infections including chemotherapy patients, the elderly, and people with HIV.
- Patients with atopic dermatitis (allergic skin reactions) are also more at risk of contracting molluscum contagiosum.
- Playing contact sports also increases the risk of contracting molluscum contagiosum.
- In general, molluscum contagiosum infection is common in humid, warm and densely populated areas, such as India and parts of Asia.
Step 2. Watch for round, raised lesions
The lesions or bumps that are characteristic of molluscum contagiosum are usually small, round, and protruding on the surface of the skin. Most people have 10–20 bumps on the skin, but people with AIDS can have more than 100 bumps. The color of these bumps is usually white, pink, or skin-colored.
- These bumps are usually 2-5 mm in diameter (about the size of the tip of a crayon or pencil eraser), although they can be larger around the genital area of adults.
- The bumps can appear anywhere on the body, but are usually seen on the face, neck, armpits, arms, and hands. The only places the bumps won't appear are on the palms and soles. The bumps usually appear 7 weeks after exposure to the virus.
- Skin lesions are known as molluscs and can sometimes resemble warts, heat blisters, and other benign growths such as flesh growths (skin tags).
Step 3. Notice if the bulge is red and inflamed
Usually, the lesions or bumps (mollusks) don't itch as long as they don't scratch. If you scratch or rub a lesion, you can make it red, inflamed, and itchy, which can spread to the surrounding skin and make the condition worse.
- Molluscs can easily enter the body's system through scratching, rubbing, or even casual touch, unlike warts and other skin lesions.
- A mollusk that has turned red and inflamed without scratching is usually a sign that your immune system has recovered and is able to fight infection.
- Once red and inflamed, the mollusk can look like a regular pimple, ingrown hair, or chicken pox.
- Inflammatory lesions should not be mistaken for infections and do not require antibiotics.
Step 4. Look for small indents
Molluscs can often be distinguished from other lesions and defects by their characteristic indentation, dimple, or hole in the center called an umbilication. This central umbilication may contain a white, thick substance that looks like melted or waxy cheese. This substance can be squeezed, but will make the infection more contagious so do not tamper with.
- Umbilization can sometimes make the mollusk look like a blackhead pimple or nodule (white head).
- The waxy or cheese-like substance inside the mollusk can contain millions of viruses mixed with the skin's oil secretions and sometimes pus or dead white blood cells.
Part 2 of 3: Preventing Molluscum Contagiosum
Step 1. Keep your body clean
Maintaining personal hygiene is an effective way of preventing or avoiding various types of infections, including molluscum contagiosum; so, wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially if shaking hands or touching someone who clearly has lesions. Washing your hands also removes viruses (and other germs) that are picked up from contaminated surfaces, toys, clothing, or towels.
- After bathing, do not be too aggressive to dry the body. Gently pat the body instead of rubbing to get rid of the mollusk and exacerbate the transmission of skin infections.
- In addition to washing your hands, try breaking the habit of putting your hands in your mouth or rubbing your eyes to help prevent infection.
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective against molluscum contagiosum and can be used as a substitute for soap and water.
- The infection can be spread through bath sponges, towels, pumice stones, or razors. It's best not to share these items.
Step 2. Avoid sexual contact
This viral infection is also spread through sexual activity because the lesions can grow on and around the genitals of both genders (lesions are also common on the upper thighs and lower abdomen). Practicing safe sex (using condoms) is not enough to prevent molluscum contagiosum because the disease is spread through skin contact, and not through body fluids.
- It is best to completely avoid sexual contact if you or your partner have mollusks near the genitals until the condition is completely cured.
- Oral sex should also be avoided if you or your partner have mollusks near your mouth or on your face.
- Molluscs in the genital area are often mistaken for genital herpes, but do not cause the burning pain typical of herpes.
Step 3. Don't scratch the bulge
While it's very difficult, especially if it's inflamed and itchy, try your best not to scratch, rub, or even touch the mollusk lesion. Scratching or scraping the skin can spread the infection from one part of the body to another and make it easier for the infection to spread.
- Make sure you don't scratch around your eyes so you don't increase your risk of eye infection (conjunctivitis).
- Shaving the infected area can also tamper with and open the mollusk thereby spreading the virus. Therefore, avoid shaving if there are lesions in the area.
Step 4. Keep the molluscum covered
If you are already infected with molluscum contagiosum, the best way to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body and to other people is to keep the area of infection covered with a breathable cloth or light bandage. This physical shield will prevent you from scratching the mollusk and from touching other people.
- Do not forget to always keep the infected skin clean and dry behind a cloth or bandage.
- Apply a waterproof tape to cover the bumps and replace it regularly (daily if wet).
- Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing instead of heavy wool or synthetic clothing that is not breathable.
Part 3 of 3: Caring for Molluscum Contagiosum
Step 1. Wait and see
Molluscum contagiosum is a self-limiting disease that will eventually resolve on its own and often doesn't need treatment. Usually the infection and molluscs will disappear within 6-12 months.
- In some people with weak immune systems, it can take up to 5 years to heal before all the bumps go away on their own.
- Treatment is usually recommended by a doctor if the bulge is in the genital area.
Step 2. Remove the bulge/lesion
Sometimes doctors may suggest surgically removing the lesion before it goes away on its own (often in adults) because it is highly contagious and the patient becomes very self-conscious as a result. This is especially true if the mollusk is near the penis, vulva, vagina or anus. Ask your doctor if your situation allows for mollusk removal.
- Mollusc removal surgery can include cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen), curettage (removal of lesions) and laser therapy.
- These methods are usually painful and require local anesthesia. Not infrequently this procedure leaves scars.
- The doctor can try to get rid of the mollusk, but usually the doctor will refer the patient to a skin specialist (dermatologist).
Step 3. Take medication
In some cases, prescription creams and ointments can be applied directly to the mollusk for a faster recovery. Some common examples of these drugs are tretinoin), adapalene, tazarotene and imiquimod. Be aware that topical medications should not be used during pregnancy due to the risk of side effects on the fetus.
- Sometimes preparations involving salicylic acid or potassium hydroxide are applied for molluscum contagiosum. This substance helps dissolve the lesion by forming a blister around it.
- Podophyllotoxin or podofilox creams can be helpful for home remedies. In one study, one group of patients was given 0.5% cream twice daily for three consecutive days, and the other group was given a placebo. Treatment was continued for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, 92% of the group given podofilox 0.5% had recovered. Do not forget to apply this cream as freely as possible on the mollusk area.
Tips
- Do not share towels, clothing, or personal items if you have molluscum contagiosum or think a family member or friend has the disease.
- Conjunctivitis may develop if molluscs are seen on the eyelids. So, make sure not to rub your eyes.
- Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a member of the poxvirus family.
- You should also avoid sharing sports equipment (gloves, uniform, helmet) if you think you have molluscum contagiosum, unless the lesion can be covered.
- If you have unusual skin irritations (rashes, bumps, or blisters) that don't go away after a few days, you should see your doctor or dermatologist.
- Molluscs are different from herpes lesions, which can reappear because the virus is dormant (sleeping) in the body for a long time.
