Molluscum contagiosum is a common skin infection caused by a virus. As the name implies, it is very contagious and can spread easily from person to person. The primary symptom of molluscum contagiosum is the appearance of a pink or flesh-colored bump somewhere on the skin. When itched, the infection spreads, resulting in other bumps appearing. A weakened immune system may also result in more bumps that are larger in size.
What does molluscum contagiosum look like?
Molluscum contagiosum appears as small, white, flesh-colored, pink, or purple bumps, called papules, with a shiny surface and slightly depressed center, or dimple. Except for the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, they can appear almost anywhere on the body, especially on the face, eyelids, neck, genitals, and extremities. This virus only affects the skin and mucous membranes; it won’t affect the internal organs.
Molluscum contagiosum bumps are often itchy and can become easily inflamed. Despite this, it is important to avoid itching or scratching these outbreaks since doing so will not only cause the papules themselves to be more painful, but also facilitate spread, creating a rash or causing bumps to appear in other places on the body.
What causes molluscum contagiosum?
There are two ways to get the virus that causes the molluscum contagiosum infection:
- Touch something infected with the virus such as an infected towel, clothing, or toys. Wrestlers and gymnasts often get the virus from touching infected mats.
- Have direct skin-to-skin contact. Children often get molluscum contagiosum because they have a lot of direct skin-to-skin contact with others. Teens and adults may also get the virus through sexual contact.
It is hard to determine when exactly the virus is contagious, but as long as the molluscum contagiosum symptoms are present on the skin, you should consider yourself to be contagious.
How long does molluscum contagiosum last?
The molluscum contagiosum infection goes through several stages while in the body.
After the recipient comes into contact with the virus, molluscum contagiosum may incubate for 2-8 weeks before symptoms appear on their skin. Scratching or picking the bumps is the most common way for the virus to spread to other areas of the skin. Areas of the body where rubbing or friction of skin surfaces occurs (for example, the inner arm and sides of the belly) are common locations for the disease.
After the virus has been present for some time, the bumps may grow in size and become dome-shaped as pus builds up inside of them. They also develop a dent, called a dimple, in the center. These pus-filled bumps may burst, which can increase the spread if the fluid is left on the skin.
If the bumps become red and form pus bumps resembling pimples, this can mean that the patient’s immune system is recognizing the virus and is starting to clear the infection. Although this might look concerning, if there is no pain or fever accompanying this, the molluscum is unlikely to be “infected”.
How long molluscum contagiosum lasts before clearing often varies. Some people experience symptoms of the virus for months or even years before it eventually clears. If your symptoms of molluscum contagiosum don’t show any signs of going away, reach out to your dermatologist.
Who contracts molluscum contagiosum most commonly?
Young to school-age children often get this disease due to more frequent exposure; however, anyone who comes into contact with the virus can get it. People can get molluscum by sharing towels and clothing. It’s important for parents who have children in contact sports to check their child’s skin from time to time.
Because the virus thrives in a warm, humid place, people who live in a tropical climate also are more likely to get molluscum contagiosum.
Having atopic dermatitis, the most common type of eczema, also increases the risk of getting the disease. A person with a weakened immune system due to a medical condition or treatment for cancer may be susceptible to more serious cases of molluscum contagiosum.
How to treat molluscum contagiosum
Because molluscum contagiosum symptoms are not usually serious and often clear up on their own, treatment usually is not necessary. However, if you or your child are experiencing pain and discomfort due to the virus or have a weakened immune system, you should contact your dermatologist.
There are multiple methods of treatment for molluscum contagiosum including medicines, topical creams, and therapies, and a board-certified dermatologist should determine whether treatment is appropriate for each patient.
Vujevich Dermatology Associates offers medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology from some of the most highly trained physicians and clinicians in the greater Pittsburgh area. You can reach our team at 412-429-2570 or visit our contact page to see all of our locations. You can also follow us on Facebook to see what’s new in the world of dermatology.