What is Molluscum Contagiosum?
Molluscum contagiosum is an infection caused by the Poxvirus. Infections caused by this virus are local and chronic, but benign. This infection is characterized by the appearance of mild lesions or nodules on the skin that can appear on any part of the body. Molluscum contagiosum usually heals within 6-12 months without scarring, but can last up to 4 years before disappearing completely.
Molluscum Contagiosum Symptoms
Lesions in molluscum contagiosum, known as molluscs, are dome-shaped lesions that appear on the skin. Molluscum contagiosum can be recognized by looking at the nodules on the skin surface. These nodules can gather in one area or spread over several parts of the body, with the following characteristics:
- Small in size, like green beans or peanuts.
- It appears on the face, neck, armpits, abdomen, genitals, and legs.
- Color like skin color, white, or pink.
- There is a small yellowish white dot in the center of the nodule.
- The number of nodules that grow is usually around 20-30, but in people with low immunity, the number can be more.
- At first hard to the touch, then soften over time.
- No pain, but itchy.
Molluscum Contagiosum Causes
Molluscum contagiosum is caused by the Molluscum contagiosum virus or known as Poxvirus. A person can be infected with the Molluscum contagiosum virus when in direct contact with the patient’s skin.
Transmission can also occur when someone touches or uses objects used by the sufferer, such as clothes or towels. Molluscum contagiosum can also be transmitted through sexual intercourse.
Molluscum contagiosum Risk Factors
In many cases, molluscum contagiosum attacks people with weak immune systems, such as people with HIV/AIDS, people undergoing organ transplants, or patients undergoing cancer treatment. This disease is also more prone to occur in the following groups:
- Children aged 1-10 years.
- People who live in the tropics.
- Patients with atopic dermatitis.
- Athletes in sports that involve body contact, such as football and wrestling.
Molluscum contagiosum Diagnosis
Molluscum contagiosum is easily recognized without the need for further examination. Just by looking at the form of nodules that grow on the skin, doctors can usually diagnose this disease.
However, if it is suspected that the nodule is not molluscum contagiosum, the doctor will perform a biopsy, which is taking the skin tissue where the nodule grows for examination using a microscope.
Molluscum Contagiosum Treatment
Molluscum contagiosum will heal by itself without treatment in 6-12 months, especially if the patient has a good immune system. In some cases, the disease can last for more than 5 years. However, people who have had molluscum contagiosum will not be infected again.
Generally the doctor won’t recommend treatment in patients who are still children, because the nodules tend to go away on their own. In addition, the treatment can be painful for the child and cause damage and scarring around the nodule area.
In adult patients, there are several methods to treat molluscum contagiosum, including:
- Smear the nodules with trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, or tretinoin, either in the form of cream or ointment.
- Curette or scraping, which is scraping the nodule using special medical tools.
- Laser light therapy, which burns the nodules using a laser beam.
- Diathermy, which destroys nodules using heat energy, by first being given a local anesthetic.
- Cryotherapy, which is freezing the nodule using liquid nitrogen.
In patients who have large or large nodules, the doctor will repeat the above procedure every 3 or 6 weeks until the nodules are gone.
During treatment, new nodules may still appear, but they usually disappear completely within 2-4 months after treatment. Keep in mind, sufferers can still transmit this disease to others until the nodule is completely gone.
Molluscum Contagiosum Prevention
Molluscum contagiosum can spread to other areas of the body and to other people. Therefore, it is important to know how to prevent transmission,such as:
- Avoid touching, scratching, or squeezing the nodules or lesions.
- Wash your hands regularly, especially if you accidentally touch the lesions.
- Always cover the nodule with clothing, or with a bandage if necessary.
- Do not share the use of personal items, such as clothes, towels and combs.
- Avoid sexual intercourse, especially if there are nodules or lesions that grow on the genitals or the surrounding area.
References:
- Schaffer, J., & Berger, E. (2016). Molluscum Contagiosum. JAMA Dermatology, 152(9), pp. 1072.
- Likhar, et al. (2014). Isolated Molluscum Contagiosum of Nipple: A Rare Case Study. Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences, 3(28), pp. 7698-700.
- American Academy of Dermatology (2018). Molluscum Contagiosum.
- National Health Service (2017). Health A to Z. Molluscum Contagiosum.
- Mayo Clinic (2018). Diseases & Conditions. Molluscum Contagiosum.
- WebMD (2019). Skin and Molluscum Contagiosum.
