Molluscum contagiosum: photos, symptoms, treatment

What is molluscum contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic is a viral infection in which large, dense nodules form on the skin that rise noticeably above the surface. It is caused by one of the smallpox viruses.

See what molluscum contagiosum looks like Close

These rounded growths can be of different sizes, from a pinhead to an eraser on a pencil, and can affect any part of the body, with the exception of the soles and palms. The rash is considered relatively safe and most often goes away on its own after 6-12 months. Molluscum Contagiosum | Poxvirus | CDC after the appearance.

Where does molluscum contagiosum come from?

Contagious means disease is transmitted by contact Molluscum Contagiosum | Poxvirus | CDC of skin with an infected surface.

There are no live mollusks inside the neoplasms. The infection got this name because the contents of the nodules under the microscope look like shells.

Contact can occur when you shake hands with an infected person or, for example, stand very close to each other, touching exposed skin. Molluscum contagiosum is also sexually transmitted: in this case, neoplasms appear on the penis, labia, lower abdomen and inner thighs.

However, most often the infection spreads through towels, bed linen, clothes, shoes, bath sponges, toys. There is a version that the virus can be infected in the pool or when visiting a sauna, bathhouse, and other wet shared premises. But she has not yet found convincing evidence.

How to recognize molluscum contagiosum

The main symptom of molluscum contagiosum is a raised mass on the skin. They are Molluscum contagiosum - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic:

small - no more than 6 mm in diameter;
are flesh-colored;
usually have a small depression at the top center;
sometimes get inflamed and redden;
may itch;
easy to remove when combing or accidentally rubbing. Because of this, the virus can infect other areas of the skin.

As the infection spreads, the skin can become inflamed and itchy. If the rash appears on the eyelids, conjunctivitis sometimes occurs.

What to do if you suspect molluscum contagiosum

If you notice unusual neoplasms on the skin, be sure to consult a doctor - therapist or immediately a dermatologist. The fact is that a nodular rash manifests itself in a variety of diseases, including such serious ones as syphilis or cancer. Therefore, it is simply dangerous to diagnose yourself and rely on that in six months everything will go away by itself.

As for the doctor, the experienced specialist will recognize molluscum contagiosum at a glance Molluscum contagiosum - Diagnosis and Treatment - Mayo Clinic. Scraping of the infected skin area may only occasionally be necessary.

How to treat molluscum contagiosum

Typically, the nodules are removed. This is not only due to aesthetics. Molluscum contagiosum is highly contagious, which means that a person with such a skin infection is dangerous to others.

To get rid of the growths, the doctor uses one of the following methods:

scraping. In this case, the growths are removed from the skin using a tool similar to a metal spoon - a curette;
cryotherapy. The nodules are frozen with liquid nitrogen, and then they fall off by themselves;
laser therapy. Rashes are removed with a laser;
applying special ointments.

Some of the methods can be painful with Molluscum contagiosum - Diagnosis and Treatment - Mayo Clinic, so local anesthesia will be needed to relieve discomfort.

After the molluscum contagiosum is removed, the person ceases to be contagious.