What is molluscum contagiosum?

Molluscum contagiosum is a common skin infection caused by a poxvirus (molluscum contagiosum virus).

How is molluscum contagiosum spread?

• Skin-to-skin contact

• Contact with infected objects

• Swimming in pools or hot tubs contaminated with the virus

What are the signs and symptoms of molluscum contagiosum?

• Raised, round, skin-colored bumps

• Small bumps — typically under about 1/4 inch (smaller than 6 millimeters) in diameter

• Bumps with a small dent or dot at the top near the center

• Itchy, pink bumps

• Bumps on the face, trunk, arms or legs of children

• Bumps on the genitals, lower abdomen or inner thighs of adults if the infection was sexually transmitted

What are the risks associated with molluscum contagiosum?

• Scratching or scraping the infected are of the skin can cause inflammation, bacterial infection, and scarring.

• Bumps that form around the eyes can cause pink eye (conjunctivitis).

• Attempting to remove the bumps or bump fluid yourself at home can result in unintentional autoinoculation of other parts of the body, and poses a risk of spreading it to others.

Can molluscum contagiosum be tested for?

There is no test for molluscum contagiosum, but it can be diagnosed through a physical examination.

What treatments are available for those who have molluscum contagiosum?

• Physical removal

  • Cryotherapy (freezing the bump with liquid nitrogen)

  • Curettage (the piercing of the core and scraping of caseous or cheesy material)

  • Laser therapy

  • These options require a trained health care provider, may require local anesthesia, and can result in post-procedural pain, irritation, and scarring.

• Oral therapy

  • Oral cimetidine

  • While cimetidine is safe, painless, and well tolerated, facial mollusca do not respond as well as bumps elsewhere on the body.

• Topical therapy

  • YCANTH (cantharidin) topical solution, 0.7%, is the only FDA approved treatment of molluscum. It is approved for use in adults and children ages 2 and older. It must be administered by a health care professional.

  • Podophyllotoxin cream (0.5%) is reliable as a home therapy for adults but is not recommended for pregnant women due to presumed toxicity to the fetus. Each bump must be treated individually as the therapeutic effect is localized.

  • Other options include iodine and salicylic acid, potassium hydroxide, tretinoin, and imiquimod (T cell modifier).

  • Imiquimod has not been proven effective for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum in children and is not recommended for children due to possible adverse events.

  • These treatments must be prescribed by a health care professional.

• Therapy for immunocompromised persons

  • Therapies targeted at boosting the immune system have proven the most effective therapy for molluscum contagiosum in immunocompromised persons. In extreme cases, intralesional interferon has been used to treat facial bumps in these patients.

Sexual partners of someone who has molluscum contagiosum do not need treatment if they do not have bumps.

Is there a way to reduce the risk of transmission of molluscum contagiosum?

• To reduce the risk of transmission during sexual contact, use condoms (including internal condoms) or dams.

• If you have molluscum contagiosum around your genitals, avoid sexual contact until the bumps are treated and gone.

• It is best not to shave, trim or wax hair affected by molluscum contagiosum to minimize the risk of spreading the infection to other areas of your body.

• Cover the bumps with clothing when around others, to prevent direct contact.

• Leave the affected area open to the air when not around others.

• When swimming, cover the bumps with a watertight bandage.

• Wash your hands.

• Avoid touching the bumps.

• Don’t share or borrow personal items.