Molluscum contagiosum is known as a common skin infection, which results from a virus attack on the top layers of the skin. The growths developed by virus spread rapidly through skin contact. This virus entering the skin through tiny openings of hair follicles resemble warts. This virus only affects the skin and not internal body organs.

It causes development of papules that do not pain and often go away on their own within a year irrespective of the treatment. Scratching or injury of papules causes infection to spread into surrounding skin.

Although molluscum contagiosum commonly occurs in children, it can affect even adults. Adults having an altered immune system are also susceptible to molluscum contagiosum.

Molluscum contagiosum may spread either through skin-to-skin contact or through contaminated objects. Considering the tendency of Molluscum contagiosum to spread easily, treatment are often recommended particularly for the adults.

Signs and symptoms

Molluscum contagiosum causes formation of raised, rounded and flesh-colored small bumps or papules on the skin.

Top of papules may typically be indented or dotted.

The infected area of skin may turn reddish and become inflamed.

Though scratching or rubbing brings out papules, it gives rise to possibility of further spread of virus to nearby areas of skin.

Kids infected by molluscum contagiosum may typically have papules on face, neck, armpits, hands and arms.

Molluscum contagiosum affecting genitals, lower abdomen, inner and upper thighs and buttocks in adults is called sexually transmitted disease (STD).

The disorder is not usually considered as serious illness. It is different from genital warts, which results from the human papillomavirus (HPV). However, adults with Molluscum contagiosum in their genital region must be subjected to screening for other STDs.

Causes Of Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum occurs as infection caused with entry of a virus of poxvirus family in the skin. This infection may affect you in different ways.

Molluscum contagiosum commonly infects children especially when they come in close contact with lesion. Though it can affect any part of body, it mostly appears on the face, neck, armpit, arms, and hands. However, palms and soles generally remain intact with this disease.

Contaminated objects, like towels, clothing or toys may lead to proliferation of virus.

The virus, causing Molluscum contagiosum also spreads through having sex.

Lesions, caused by molluscum contagiosum on genitalia may resemble herpes or warts, but they are not unpainful lesions unlike herpes, which cause pain.

Molluscum contagiosum can worstly hit people having weak immune system especially those affected by AIDS.

The virus can spread rapidly to the nearby areas of skin through scratching or rubbing of papules or lesions. Papules are often scratched or rubbed while shaving.

When to see a doctor?

In case you observe symptoms of molluscum contagiosum in you or your kid, you must see a doctor or a dermatologist. The doctor can properly diagnose the infection by testing the types of papules. The doctor can also feel the need of conducting microscopic examination of the skin scrapings in the infected area for confirmation.

Treating Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum in individual having normal immune system often goes away with or without treatment within 6-12 months. Only in few cases it stays put for several years.

In case of children whose immune systems are underdeveloped, molluscum contagiosum takes little longer to disappear.

Considering molluscum's easy spreading nature, doctors often advice medical treatment, particularly for adults.

Papules formed by the condition are often removed with the help of various treatments such as scraping or curettage, freezing (cryotherapy) and laser therapy.

The doctor may prescribe a topical anesthetic before adopting these treatment procedures to reduce discomfort.

Medications, which are used for removal of warts, can also be helpful in taking out the papules caused by molluscum contagiosum. A study is also underway to know the effectiveness of the medication like imiquimod (Aldara) in treatment of molluscum.

Prevention

Following are the tips to prevent molluscum contagiosum:

Don't touch, rub or scratch the papules. Be careful while shaving because it may cause spread of the virus.

Don't exchange clothing, towels and hairbrushes with others.

Avoid having sexual contact so long as papules exist in your genital region.

In case you have molluscum, you must refrain from participating in contact sports like wrestling because it may cause spread of virus to others.