Molluscum Contagiosum
What is Molluscum Contagiosum?
Molluscum Contagiosum is a mild medical viral skin infection which appears as small shiny pimple-like rash on the body.
What is the cause of Molluscum Contagiosum?
The causative agent is a virus called molluscum contagiosum which is highly contagious.
It is more frequent in children between 2 to 5 years of age.
It is easily distributed either by direct touch or indirectly through infected clothing, toys, or towels or in a swimming pool.
In adults, the virus can also be transmitted by sexual contact.
Any early lesions on the genitalia may be misdiagnosed for herpes or warts but unlike herpes these skin rashes are not painful.
Infection from a secondary source may result from bacterial infection of staphylococcus.
Molluscum contagiosum is produced by a virus that is part of the pox viruses.
This is a frequent infection in children and happens when a child comes into direct touch with an infected skin.
The papules are frequently seen on the face, neck, armpit, arms, and hands but may happen at any part of the body other than the soles and palms.
The virus can transmit through contact with contaminated objects, including clothing, towels, or toys.
The virus also transmits by sexual contact.
Early lesions on the genitals may be misdiagnosed as warts or herpes.
Unlike herpes, these skin lesions are not painful.
Persons with a weakened immune system (due to diseases such as HIV infection) may have a quickly spreading case of molluscum contagiosum.
What are the symptoms of Molluscum Contagiosum?
Symptoms:
The skin lesion of molluscum begins as a small, painless papule.
The papule may become raised to a pearly, flesh-colored nodule.
The papule frequently has a typical dimple in the center.
Scratching or other irritation induces the virus to spread in a line or in groups, called crops.
Rashes like pimples appear 2 to 7 weeks after the infection:
1. They happens mainly on the trunk, face, hands and rarely on palms and soles
2. They are small dome like papules with a dimple in the center
3. They are normally white or flesh colored
4. Pimples varies between 2mm and 5mm in diameter
5. They occur in groups although they can occur singly
6. Scratching may cause the virus to spread in a line or in clusters called crops.
The papules are about 2 to 5 mms in diameter.
Normally there is no inflammation (swelling and redness) and subsequently no redness unless the patient has been digging or scratching at the lesions.
The skin lesion frequently has a core or plug of white, waxy or cheesy material in the center.
In adults, the lesions are frequently seen on the genitals, abdomen, and inner thigh.
How is the diagnosis of Molluscum Contagiosum made?
Diagnosis is based on the:
1. Typical appearance of the rash
2. Skin scraping or biopsy for microscopic examination
The doctor will examine the lesion to exclude other diseases and detect any underlying conditions.
What are the complications of Molluscum Contagiosum?
Complications:
1. Persistence, spread, or recurrence of lesions to other parts of body causing disfiguring appearance
2. Secondary bacterial skin infections
What is the treatment of Molluscum Contagiosum?
Treatment is sometimes not necessary.
The condition will resolve even without being treated and not leaving any scars.
In people with healthy immune systems, the disorder normally disappears on its own over months to years.
But the lesions can spread before they go away.
However this may take from a few weeks to a year.
If disfiguring spots occur on the face or if the child has low immunity, treatment may be required:
1. Medicines, such as those used to remove warts, may be helpful.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Introduction
Chapter 1 Molluscum Contagiosum
Chapter 2 Causes
Chapter 3 Symptoms
Chapter 4 Diagnosis
Chapter 5 Treatment
What is Molluscum Contagiosum?
Molluscum Contagiosum is a mild medical viral skin infection which appears as small shiny pimple-like rash on the body.
What is the cause of Molluscum Contagiosum?
The causative agent is a virus called molluscum contagiosum which is highly contagious.
It is more frequent in children between 2 to 5 years of age.
It is easily distributed either by direct touch or indirectly through infected clothing, toys, or towels or in a swimming pool.
In adults, the virus can also be transmitted by sexual contact.
Any early lesions on the genitalia may be misdiagnosed for herpes or warts but unlike herpes these skin rashes are not painful.
Infection from a secondary source may result from bacterial infection of staphylococcus.
Molluscum contagiosum is produced by a virus that is part of the pox viruses.
This is a frequent infection in children and happens when a child comes into direct touch with an infected skin.
The papules are frequently seen on the face, neck, armpit, arms, and hands but may happen at any part of the body other than the soles and palms.
The virus can transmit through contact with contaminated objects, including clothing, towels, or toys.
The virus also transmits by sexual contact.
Early lesions on the genitals may be misdiagnosed as warts or herpes.
Unlike herpes, these skin lesions are not painful.
Persons with a weakened immune system (due to diseases such as HIV infection) may have a quickly spreading case of molluscum contagiosum.
What are the symptoms of Molluscum Contagiosum?
Symptoms:
The skin lesion of molluscum begins as a small, painless papule.
The papule may become raised to a pearly, flesh-colored nodule.
The papule frequently has a typical dimple in the center.
Scratching or other irritation induces the virus to spread in a line or in groups, called crops.
Rashes like pimples appear 2 to 7 weeks after the infection:
1. They happens mainly on the trunk, face, hands and rarely on palms and soles
2. They are small dome like papules with a dimple in the center
3. They are normally white or flesh colored
4. Pimples varies between 2mm and 5mm in diameter
5. They occur in groups although they can occur singly
6. Scratching may cause the virus to spread in a line or in clusters called crops.
The papules are about 2 to 5 mms in diameter.
Normally there is no inflammation (swelling and redness) and subsequently no redness unless the patient has been digging or scratching at the lesions.
The skin lesion frequently has a core or plug of white, waxy or cheesy material in the center.
In adults, the lesions are frequently seen on the genitals, abdomen, and inner thigh.
How is the diagnosis of Molluscum Contagiosum made?
Diagnosis is based on the:
1. Typical appearance of the rash
2. Skin scraping or biopsy for microscopic examination
The doctor will examine the lesion to exclude other diseases and detect any underlying conditions.
What are the complications of Molluscum Contagiosum?
Complications:
1. Persistence, spread, or recurrence of lesions to other parts of body causing disfiguring appearance
2. Secondary bacterial skin infections
What is the treatment of Molluscum Contagiosum?
Treatment is sometimes not necessary.
The condition will resolve even without being treated and not leaving any scars.
In people with healthy immune systems, the disorder normally disappears on its own over months to years.
But the lesions can spread before they go away.
However this may take from a few weeks to a year.
If disfiguring spots occur on the face or if the child has low immunity, treatment may be required:
1. Medicines, such as those used to remove warts, may be helpful.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Introduction
Chapter 1 Molluscum Contagiosum
Chapter 2 Causes
Chapter 3 Symptoms
Chapter 4 Diagnosis
Chapter 5 Treatment
