Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection of the skin that causes small pearly or flesh-colored bumps. The bumps may be clear, and the center is often indented (umbilicated). The virus is easily spread (contagious) but is not harmful. However, in people with impaired immune systems, such as HIV infection, the bumps can be extensive and disfiguring and are often considered a sign of late-stage disease.1

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, 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. Molluscum contagiosum is contagious until the bumps are gone—which, if untreated, may be up to 6 months or longer.

Molluscum contagiosum is usually diagnosed during a physical examination. If the diagnosis is unclear and other conditions are suspected, your health professional may take a sample of the bump to examine (biopsy). If an adult has bumps in his or her genital area, the health professional may check for other sexually transmitted diseases, such as genital herpes.

Molluscum contagiosum is most common in children and is typically seen in children age 2 to 5.4 In teens and young adults, molluscum contagiosum is primarily a sexually transmitted disease. However, it is also found among wrestlers, swimmers, gymnasts, masseurs, and people who use steam rooms and saunas. Molluscum contagiosum is more common in warm, humid climates with crowded living conditions than in mild climates.

Molluscum infections occur worldwide but are more common in warm, humid climates and where living conditions are crowded. There is evidence that molluscum infections have been on the rise in the United States since 1966, but these infections are not routinely monitored because they are seldom serious and routinely disappear without treatment. Molluscum is common enough that you should not be surprised if you see someone with it or if someone in your family becomes infected.

Yes. Recovery from one infection with molluscum does not prevent future infections with molluscum so it is important not to pick at or scratch other people’s skin. However, molluscum contagiosum is not like herpes viruses, which can remain dormant (“sleeping”) in your body for long periods of time and then reappear. If you get new molluscum contagiosum bumps after you are cured, it means you have come in contact with an infected person or object.

The most common complication is a secondary infection caused by bacteria. Additionally, the removal of bumps by scratching, freezing (cryotherapy), or fluid removal (curettage) can leave scars on the skin.

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Molluscum contagiosum treatment is certainly possible with the correct treatment information.Many people are told that molluscum contagiosum must be left to run its course (even by dermatologists). This can take years.I have written... Read More NEW YORK, N.Y., February 18, 2004 ? On a visit to his doctor, Gary Jacob received distressing news ? not about himself, but a friend of the doctor's.While playing with one of his..

Molluscum contagiosum can be spread by any contact between two people—this includes sexual contact. Many, but not all, cases of molluscum in adults are caused by sexual contact. Treatment for molluscum is usually recommended if the growths are in the genital area (on or near the penis, vulva, vagina, or anus). If bumps are found in the genital area, it is a good idea to discuss with a health care provider the possibility that you might have another disease that is spread by sexual contact.

Persons with HIV disease are at increased risk for acquiring molluscum. The growths may be very large—the size of a dime or larger (at least 15 millimeters). Bumps may be anywhere on the body but are often on the face. These growths usually do not go away by themselves. Treatment of molluscum among HIV-positive persons is more difficult than in people with normal immune systems.

View larger image > Persons with weakened immune systems (such as cancer, organ transplantation, HIV etc.) are at increased risk for catching molluscum and may develop very large growths (the size of a dime or larger—at least 15 millimeters in diameter). Bumps may be anywhere on the body but tend to occur on the face and not to go away by themselves. Treatment of molluscum is more difficult among persons with weakened immune systems.

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. Molluscum contagiosum is not like herpes viruses, which can remain dormant (“sleeping”) in your body for long periods and then reappear. So, assuming you do not come in contact with another infected person, once all the molluscum contagiosum bumps go away, you will not develop any new bumps.

This depends on the amount and size of your molluscum. It is important that you do not run out of formula and interrupt the program. There is 11ml of Heal Molluscum formula, sufficient for over 100 applications. This will heal a few bumps. If you have many bumps or need to treat a cluster, we suggest starting with at least two bottles of formula or save 10% with our large 33 ml bottle.

You should discuss all treatment options with a health care provider. Usually no treatment is needed because the bumps disappear by themselves within 6-12 months, although this may take up to 4 years. To prevent the spread of molluscum to other areas of your body or to other people, it is important to keep every blister or bump covered either with clothing or with a watertight bandage.

Molluscum contagiosum (full name) is a variation of warts. They are skin lesions typically about 3mm in diameter which (unlike most warts) do not develop a scaley surface - instead, they remain smooth and skin coloured but some become very red and angry. They are contagious and your child should use its own towels etc in the bathroom. Playing with other children can also lead to spread eg at school etc.

The virus that causes molluscum is spread from person to person by touching the affected skin. The virus may also be spread by touching a surface with the virus on it, such as a towel, clothing, or toys. Once someone has the virus, the bumps can spread to other parts of their body by touching or scratching a bump and then touching another part of the body. Molluscum can be spread from one person to another by sexual contact.

Good hand hygiene is the best way to avoid getting many infections including molluscum. For handwashing tips, see the Clean Hands Saves Lives sitelet at http://www.cdc.gov/cleanhands. By washing your hands frequently you wash away germs picked up from other people or from contaminated surfaces.

View large image > It is important to keep the area with growths clean and covered with clothing or a bandage so that others do not touch the bumps and become infected with molluscum. However, when there is no risk of others coming into contact with your skin, such as at night when you sleep, uncover the bumps to help keep your skin healthy. Before participating in sports in which your body will come into contact with another person’s body (i.e.

It is not a good idea to try to remove the molluscum growths or to get rid of the fluid inside them yourself. Be aware that some treatments available through the internet are not effective and may even be harmful! By scratching and scraping the skin you might cause a more serious bacterial infection. If you want to have the growths removed or treated, talk to a health care provider.

Growths not covered by clothing should be covered with a watertight bandage. Change the bandage daily or when obviously soiled. If a child with bumps in the underwear/diaper area needs assistance going to the bathroom or needs diaper changes, then growths in this area should be bandaged too if possible.

Some investigations report that spread of molluscum contagiosum is increased in swimming pools. However, it has not been proved how or under what circumstances swimming pools might increase spread of the virus. Activities related to swimming might be the cause. For example, the virus might spread from one person to another if they share a towel or toys.