Molluscum contagiosum

Reviewed by Professor James Ferguson, consultant dermatologist

What is molluscum contagiosum?

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection of the skin. It appears as small, pearl-shaped spots which are pink in colour. It may occur at any age but is typically found in children.

It is not a serious disease and usually clears up within a few months. It can, however, last for up to two years.

How do you contract molluscum contagiosum?

It is an infection caused by a virus called poxvirus. The infection can result from direct contact, including sexual contact, or by indirect contact, such as sharing towels, or from swimming pools.

The incubation period from the time of initial contact until the molluscum or spots appear is anything from two to eight weeks.

The symptoms of molluscum contagiosum

Pink, pearl-like spots on the face, arms and legs, which can be 1 to 5mm in diameter.

If the infection is sexually transmitted, the molluscum can be seen on the genitals, thighs and the lower part of the stomach.

Good advice

Be patient - the condition will pass.

Wash your hands after touching the molluscum.

Do not share towels used on the infected area with other people.

Avoid scratching the molluscum as this may cause further infection.

How does the doctor make the diagnosis?

The diagnosis is made by examining the patient's skin.

Outlook

This is a benign disease that spontaneously improves after a couple of months. In patients with AIDS, it may develop as a general or pervasive (gradually spreading) skin infection.

How is molluscum contagiosum treated?

Usually no treatment is given since the disease disappears by itself.

Larger and troublesome molluscum can be frozen or scraped away under local anaesthesia.

Antiseptic applied to the affected areas is helpful only if local infection occurs - which shows as painful red areas around the molluscum spots.

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