Molluscum Contagiosum

Info: Molluscum contagiosum is a common non-cancerous skin growth caused by a viral infection in the top layers of the skin. They are similiar to warts, but are caused by a different virus. The virus is easily spread by skin contact.

Signs & Symptoms: Molluscum are usually small, flesh-colored or pink, dome-shaped growths. They may appear shiny and have a small indentation in the center. They are usually found in clusters on the skin of the chest, abdomen, arms, groin, or buttock. They can also involve the face and eyelids.

Prevention: The molluscum virus is transmitted from the skin of one person who has these growths to the skin of another person, especially where skin-to-skin contact is frequent. Molluscum can also be sexually transmitted if growths are present in the genital area.

Treatment: Many dermatologists advise treating molluscum because they spread. They can be frozen with liquid nitrogen, destroyed with various acids or blistering solutions, treated with an electric needle (electrocautery), scraped off with a sharp instrument (curette), treated daily with a home application of a topical retinoid cream or gel, treated with a topical immune modifier, or treated with a topical anti-viral medication. If there are many growths, multiple treatment sessions may be needed every 3-6 weeks until the growths are gone.

To read more about molluscum contagiosum, visit the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) web page on this condition.