Molluscum

Molluscum contagiosum is a benign viral infection of the skin but  is not particularly harmful or painful.

Hundreds of thousands of cases of this virus are diagnosed every year.

Molluscum Virus and its effects in Pictures

Symptoms

Molluscum causes normal skin to grow into bumps. There is no pain or discharge from these but they may bleed if cut. Symptoms usually appear between 2-12 weeks after being exposed to the infection, but can take years to manifest.

Symptoms include:

• Small, waxy, round, raised polyp-like growths (often with a tiny depression in the middle) which may be single at first, but can multiply into clusters, containing  a firm white substance rather than pus

The blisters occur wherever the virus entered the body, usually on the:

• abdomen/belly;
• genitals;
• thighs;

The blisters can be:

• clear;
• flesh-colored;
• pink;
• white;
• yellow;

Other Symptoms:

• Itching;
• Red, scaly skin around the blisters;

Individual blisters may disappear on their own after about two months, but the general outbreak can last anywhere from six months to three years.

Click Here to view photos of Molluscum

Transmission

The virus is transmitted by:

• Direct skin-to-skin contact with infected skin;
• Manual contact, such as sharing towels and sports/locker room equipment;
• Nonsexual, intimate contact;
• Scratching, picking or breaking the blisters and touching one another (especially in preschool and elementary school children);
• Vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse;

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is usually ascertained by:

• Observation of the classical skin lesion;
• Tissue taken from the sore and examined under a microscope;

Treatment

Although the virus remains in the body, the immune system of a healthy person can usually control the outbreaks causing the blisters to disappear. 

Outbreaks can recur, possibly triggered by a weakening of the immune system. The infection usually clears up in 6-18 months without any treatment.

Molluscum is treated by destroying the infected skin.  Growths are usually removed using one of the following techniques:

• Burning growths off with a potent acid, such as Trichloracetic Acid;  
• Electrical current;
• Freezing the growths with liquid nitrogen;
• Laser surgery using a blistering agent, such as Podophyllin which is made from rainforest beetles);
• Retin A ® a common acne treatment (often used with children); 
• People are also finding success with Heal Molluscum an essential oil blend;

Note:

Always use a recommended health professional trained in these techniques to prevent damage to the normal surrounding tissue.

Prevention

• Abstinence;
• Latex condoms and gloves may offer some protection if the lesion is on the penis, if they are put on before sex and worn until sexual contact is over;
• Limited sexual partners to one uninfected person;
• People infected with molloscum contagiosum are best advised to abstain from sex until the blisters have been successfully removed and healed;
• Restricting body contact between infected and uninfected people can help reduce the chance of spreading infection;
• Some skin cancers may look like Molluscum so it is important that any abnormal lumps or bumps be examined;

Do not

• share towels and washcloths ;
• squeeze the lesions which makes them more contagious;

Note:

• The virus may 'shed' beyond the area protected by the condom;
• Washing, douching or urinating after sex does not prevent STIs;

Prognosis

• Persons with weak immune systems may experience outbreaks elsewhere on the body;

Related topics
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