SKINIPEDIA - Skin Conditions: Molluscum Contagiosum
Skin Diseases and Conditions: Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum consists of small, harmless growths caused by a poxvirus that infects only skin virus. This virus enters the skin through small breaks in the skin barrier. After an incubation period, growths appear. They resemble pimples at first. Later, when they enlarge, they have a waxy, pinkish look and a small central pit. Molluscum contagiosum can be spread from person to person by direct skin contact. It is harmless and never turns cancerous. Molluscum occurs in children and adults.
HOW MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM SPREADS
The virus spreads in three ways. As described above, a person who has molluscum contagiosum can spread the virus to other parts of the body. This may happen by rubbing or scratching a growth and then touching unaffected skin.
Molluscum contagiosum also spreads from person to person through direct skin-to-skin contact. And it is possible to get the disease by coming into contact with an object that has touched infected skin such as a towel, toy, or clothing. There have been reports of people contracting molluscum contagiosum from a swimming pool or gymnastic mat.
THOSE MOST AT RISK
Children tend to get molluscum more often than adults. It is common in young children who have not yet developed immunity to the virus. Children also tend to have more direct skin-to-skin contact with others.
Anyone who is exposed to the virus through skin-to-skin contact has an increased risk of developing molluscum contagiosum. This may happen by participating in a close contact sport such as wrestling or having sexual contact with an infected person. Living in a tropical area also increases the risk. The virus thrives in areas that are warm and humid. Certain medical conditions also make a person more susceptible. People who have atopic dermatitis or a disease that weakens the immune system are more likely to develop molluscum contagiosum.
TREATMENT
* There is no single perfect treatment for molluscum contagiosum, since we are unable to kill the virus, but natural products such as Heal Molluscum can be effective.
* Individual lesions can be destroyed by a blistering agent, by liquid nitrogen, or by surgical removal.
* Sometimes new lesions will form while existing ones are being destroyed. New growths should be treated when they become large enough to be seen.
* Molluscum lesions may become red and sore when the body tries to reject the virus. Sometimes a rash appears around the growths. These symptoms are harmless and can be safely ignored.
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