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What is Molluscum, Molluscum Contagiosum?
Molluscum contagiosum (Molluscum, MCV) is a common infection
in the U.S. and accounts for about 1% of all diagnosed skin disorders.
Molluscum can occur in children and adults.
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. In healthy children and adults, the molluscum rash will eventually
clear, but it can last up to 6-8 months.
It is estimated that 5% of children and up to 20% of AIDS patients
have molluscum.
The Molluscum virus only affects the skin. It causes a characteristic
lesion/rash with one or more round, dome-shaped pink, waxy bumps called
papules. These papules have a small central indentation. They are
usually 2.5 mm in diameter but can be as large as one centimeter in
diameter.
It is often treated by a doctor using freezing or scraping. Unfortunately,
freezing and scraping are painful and leave scars. If the rash is
widespread, it may not be possible to use these methods to treat the
rash.
Related links:
PoxiDerm™ Natural Lesion Relief
Molluscum Contagiosum Medical Resouces and Information
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