Molluscum contagiosum is a virus that causes a type of skin infection, which is also called molluscum contagiosum. The virus is related to the poxvirus that causes small pox, but the molluscum virus is much less dangerous, often involving only local areas of the skin. The infection has been reported worldwide. It most commonly occurs in young children and people with compromised immune systems, and usually resolves without any treatment.
Risk Factors
According to MayoClinic.com, molluscum contagiosum is a fairly common disease in childhood, but is rare in adults unless the immune system is somehow suppressed. As such, molluscum contagiosum is more common in people with HIV, in people receiving chemotherapy, and in individuals taking corticosteroid medications. People who have eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, may also be at higher risk for getting the disease.
Transmission
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the molluscum virus is spread through direct skin-to-skin contact and can erupt on any part of the body. Scratching or picking a lesion can cause it to spread locally. The virus can also be spread through contact with objects that have been touched by an infected individual. As reported in an article from 2006 in the "American Journal of Dermatology," molluscum contagiosum may also be transmitted during contact sports. When the lesions are found in the genital region, molluscum contagiosum is considered a sexually transmitted disease.
Diagnosis
Molluscum contagiosum has a characteristic appearance. The flesh-colored bumps on the skin usually have an indentation in the middle, known as umbilication. The skin bumps can occur anywhere except the palms and soles, although the most common sites of involvement are the trunk, armpits, and the skin folds along the groin area. Although rarely needed for diagnosis, skin samples can be biopsied and examined under a microscope following special staining.
Treatment
As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in people with healthy immune systems, molluscum contagiosum is usually self-limiting, meaning it goes away on its own within six to 12 months without any treatment. In individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV, the lesions can persist for long periods and involve large areas of the skin. Treatment is often only pursued if the lesions are a cosmetic concern. The bumps can be removed directly by scraping them off, known as curettage, by freezing them, a process called cryotherapy, or by burning off the skin with laser therapy. Topical medications, such as imiquimod, are also available. When the lesions are in the genital region, treatment is recommend to reduce risk of transmission by sexual contact.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Molluscum contagiosum
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Molluscum contagiosum
- "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology"; The epidemiology of molluscum contagiosum in children; M.A. Dohil et al.; 2006
