++What is Molluscum?++
UNFUN FACT:
MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM IS HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS AND MAY BE ITCHY AND PAINFUL.
What is Molluscum Contagiosum?
Molluscum contagiosum, also called simply molluscum, is a highly contagious viral skin infection that affects an estimated 6 million people in the United States, primarily impacting children under the age of 16.
Learning more about molluscum contagiosum and what causes this skin infection is the best starting point for treating and managing it.
What does molluscum look like ?
- Molluscum may appear as a single bump or many bumps clustered together.
- Bumps are flesh-colored, white, pink, or red in color.
- They may have white, waxy cores with a dent in the middle.
- Bumps range in size from a pinhead to a pencil eraser.
- Most people have 10-30 bumps, but some children may have as many as 100.
- They can appear on skin anywhere but most often appear on the trunk, arms or legs.
What does molluscum feel like?
- Molluscum can be itchy.
- It can also can be painful.
Photo is not representative of all patients.
How long does molluscum last ?
- The average patient will have the infection for 13 months, but some patients can have the infection for 2 years or more.
- One-third of cases last 18 months.
- More than 1 out of 10 cases last 2 years or longer.
- Treating early may offer the best chance of infection resolving faster, and reduce the amount of time a child is contagious.
Additional Complications
- Secondary Infections
Molluscum can create openings in the skin where bacterial infections can enter and take hold.
In children prone to eczema, an itchy rash may occur around the bumps, adding to a child’s discomfort.
Photo is not representative of all patients.
What you can do
There may be options that can better help you manage the disease, reduce the risk of spreading the virus as well as assist you in navigating the various ways molluscum may negatively affect your life.
FIND A DERMATOLOGIST
When managing molluscum contagiosum, you might consider speaking to a dermatologist to determine the best course of action for your family and child. During this current COVID-19 pandemic, please note that many dermatologists are practicing telemedicine, and you can always make an appointment for a future date.
