Q. What is molluscum contagiosum (mollusk-um conta-gio-sum)?
A. Molluscum contagiosum is a virus. The molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) is a member of the poxvirus family. (2) It most commonly affects children between 1 and 12 years of age, but can also happen in adults who live in a warm, humid climate and/or who live in crowded living conditions. Molluscum infections are quite common, but are rarely serious.
An MCV infection only affects the skin and does not affect other bodily systems. The infection will appear as a small, white, pink, or skin-colored bump, similar to a wart or pimple. It varies from the size of a pinhead to the size of a pencil eraser, about 2 to 5 millimeters.
“The bumps may appear anywhere on the body, alone or in groups. They are usually painless, although they may be itchy, red, swollen and/or sore.” (1) These bumps may have a dimple in the center.
Q. How is molluscum contagiosum transmitted?
A. The infection spreads through direct contact with the infected area, or touching infected surfaces. To avoid giving the infection to someone else, keep the area clean and covered with clothing or bandages, so others cannot touch the area. Do not share towels, clothing or other personal items that may have come in contact.
The infection can spread not only person-to-person, but also to other areas of the body. To prevent this, avoid picking and scratching at the bumps, and wash your hands thoroughly after touching an infected area.
Q. Can my child still go to daycare/school or go swimming?
A. So long as the area is covered by clothing or a bandage, there is no reason to keep the child home from daycare or school.
As for swimming, “[a]lthough the virus might be spread by sharing swimming pools, baths, saunas, or other wet and warm environments, this has not been proven. Researchers who have investigated this idea think it is more likely the virus is spread by sharing towels and other items around a pool or sauna than through water.” (1)
Q. How is molluscum contagiosum treated?
A. MCV usually goes away on its own within 6 to 12 months, though some cases have been known to remain for up to four years.
Cosmetic removal using cryotherapy (freezing), curettage (removing the fluid inside the bumps, which contain the virus), and laser is possible. However removal can be painful and may result in scarring, although scars may also happen with natural healing of the bumps.
Creams containing salicylic acid and other chemicals may be applied at home to help remove the bumps, though these creams do not always work. Cimetidine is an oral medicine that is sometimes prescribed for small children. As with any medication, there is always the chance of negative side effects.
Before starting any treatment, please talk to your family physician, firstly for confirmation of the virus, and secondly to determine the best course of treatment, if any, may be beneficial for your child.
Sources:
1) Molluscum (Molluscum Contagiosum). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web. Aug 21, 2013.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/molluscum/faq/everyone.htm
2) Infections: Molluscum Contagiosum. Kidshealth.org. Web. Aug 21, 2013.
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/skin/molluscum_contagiosum.html#
3) Molluscum Contagiosum. American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Web. Aug 21, 2013.
http://www.aapos.org/terms/conditions/69
Reviewed August 21, 2013
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith