Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum Contagiosum (Molluscum) is a common skin infection caused by a virus, and accounts for about 1% of all diagnosed pediatric skin disorders in the U.S. Molluscum can occur in children and adults and patients with impaired immune systems may have widespread, persistent infection. It is estimated that 5% of children and up to 20% of AIDS patients have Molluscum. In healthy children and adults, the Molluscum rash will eventually clear on its own, but it can last up to 6-8 months.

Children, most commonly under five years of age, become infected through direct skin-to-skin contact or by touching objects contaminated with the Molluscum virus. In adults, Molluscum can be a sexually transmitted disease.

The Molluscum virus only affects the skin. It causes a characteristic lesion (rash) with one or more dome-shaped, pink, waxy bumps with a central indentation that are called papules. These papules are usually about 2.5mm in diameter but can be as large as one centimeter in diameter. Common treatment by a doctor involves uncomfortable freezing or scraping methods because there are not many options available to combat Molluscum. If the rash is widespread, it may not be possible to use these methods to treat the rash.

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