Health
Lake After Hours Health Update: Molluscum Contagiosum
By |
Submitted by Joseph Halphen PA-C, Lake After Hours
The molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) is a viral infection of the skin or occasionally of the mucous membranes. It is caused by a DNA poxvirus called the molluscum contagiosum virus. MCV has no nonhuman-animal reservoir (infecting only humans). This common viral disease has a higher incidence in children, sexually active adults, and those who are immunodeficient, and the infection is most common in children aged one to ten years old. MCV can affect any area of the skin but is most common on the trunk of the body, arms, and legs. It is spread through direct contact or shared items such as clothing or towels.
The virus commonly spreads through skin-to-skin contact. This includes sexual contact or touching or scratching the bumps and then touching the skin. Handling objects that have the virus on them (fomites), such as a towel, can also result in infection. The virus can spread from one part of the body to another or to other people. The virus can be spread among children at day care or at school. Molluscum contagiosum is contagious until the bumps are no longer present.
The time from infection to the appearance of lesions can range up to 6 months, with an average incubation period between 2 and 7 weeks. Molluscum contagiosum presents as a small white, pink, or flesh-colored raised bumps or growths with a pit or dimple in the center. The bumps are usually smooth and firm. They can be as small as the head of a pin and as large as a pencil eraser (2 to 5 millimeters in diameter). The growths are usually painless but may become itchy, sore and red and/or swollen. The virus lives only in the skin and once the growths are gone, the virus is gone and you cannot spread the virus to others.
The best way to avoid getting molluscum is by following good hygiene habits. Do not touch, pick, or scratch any skin with bumps or blisters (yours or someone else’s). Good hand hygiene is the best way to avoid getting many infections including molluscum. By washing your hands frequently you wash away germs picked up from other people or from contaminated surfaces.
Usually no treatment is needed because the bumps disappear by themselves usually within 6-12 months. In some case the molluscum can become infected at which time medical intervention is necessary. Other treatments may include: cryotherapy and lasers which are usually performed in a dermatology office. The oral medicine cimetidine has been used for treatment of molluscum in small children. This medicine is available only by prescription.
At Lake After Hours we see several cases a month of molluscum contagiosum. Most of the time the parent is concerned because they are unsure of what the “bumps” are or if the condition is serious / contagious. Generally the cases we see are very mild and we reassure the parent that this condition is very common and usually self-limiting. We then educate the parent on ways to prevent the spreading of the virus and things to look for that would warrant further examination and treatment.
0 comments