Fact Sheet Number 511
- WHAT IS MOLLUSCUM?
- HOW DOES MOLLUSCUM SPREAD?
- HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE MOLLUSCUM?
- HOW IS MOLLUSCUM TREATED?
- CAN MOLLUSCUM BE PREVENTED?
- DRUG INTERACTION PROBLEMS
- THE BOTTOM LINE
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PrintMolluscum contagiosum is a skin infection. It is caused by
a virus. Molluscum causes small bumps (lesions) to appear on the
skin. Most of them are less than half an inch in diameter. They
have a hard white core. Some lesions have a small dent or dimple
in the center. The lesions are the same color as normal skin,
but they look waxy. They usually don’t hurt or itch.
The molluscum virus is very common, and almost everyone has
it in his or her body. A healthy immune system will control molluscum
so that if lesions appear, they do not last a long time. People
with weakened immune systems can develop molluscum lesions that
spread, last a long time, and are very difficult to treat.
Molluscum is not a serious health problem. However, many people
find the molluscum lesions to be very unattractive. This can cause
serious emotional or psychological problems.
SPREAD?
Molluscum can be spread by direct skin contact. It often spreads
through sexual activity. Molluscum can infect any part of the
skin, but it is especially common on the face or in the groin
and pubic areas.
It can be spread from existing lesions to other parts of the
body or to other people. It can also be spread by objects (or
clothing) that came in contact with a lesion.
Men with HIV often develop molluscum on their face. Shaving
with a razor blade can spread it.
IF I HAVE MOLLUSCUM?
A doctor can easily identify molluscum lesions. They are waxy,
flesh-colored bumps that don’t hurt or itch. There are only one
or two other infections that cause skin problems that look at
all similar to molluscum.
TREATED?
Molluscum lesions are treated the same way as warts. Unfortunately,
the lesions often return and need to be treated again.
- They can be frozen with liquid nitrogen. This is the most
common method of treatment.
- They can be burned with an electric needle (electrocautery)
or a laser. This treatment can be painful and sometimes leaves
scars.
- They can be treated with chemicals used on warts such as
trichloroacetic acid (TCA), podophyllin or podofilox. These chemicals
can not be used on sensitive skin or near the eyes.
- They can be cut or “scooped” out surgically. This
treatment can be painful and can leave scars.
- They can be treated with drugs used to treat acne such as
tretinoin (Retin-A) or isotretinoin (Accutane). This is a newer
approach. These drugs reduce the amount of oil in the skin. The
top layer of skin dries out and peels off. These drugs can cause
redness and soreness. Retin-A is a cream that is put onto the
lesions. Accutane is taken in pill form.
- Another new approach is to use the antiviral medications
cidofovir or imiquimod. These drugs are applied directly onto
the lesions.
BE PREVENTED?
Because the virus that causes molluscum is so common, it is not
possible to avoid being exposed to it. However, if you have molluscum
you should make sure that the lesions don’t touch anyone else.
You should also be careful not to spread molluscum to different
parts of your body.
Be careful not to scratch the lesions or to cut them while
shaving. Some doctors think that using an electric shaver helps
prevent the spread of molluscum.
PROBLEMS
The acne drugs tretinoin (Retin-A) and isotretinoin (Accutane)
tend to dry out the skin. Dry skin is also a side effect of the
protease inhibitor indinavir (Crixivan) and some other antiviral
medications. If you take use Retin-A or Accutane to treat molluscum
along with antiviral drugs that can cause dry skin, your skin
problems could get worse.
Molluscum is a viral infection that can produce skin lesions.
Although they are not medically dangerous, the lesions can cause
serious emotional and psychological problems.
Molluscum can be spread from person to person by direct skin
contact. It can be spread during sexual activity. If you have
molluscum, you can spread the lesions to new areas if you shave
with a blade.
Molluscum lesions are removed in the same ways as warts. Unfortunately,
they often return and have to be treated again.
Revised May 6, 2002
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