About this topic
Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection caused by a virus. This infection has small bumps on the skin. They are pink, white, or flesh-colored and may have a dimple in the center. The infection is easily spread. You may become infected by touching one of the bumps, or by touching a towel or something else that has touched them. This can also be an infection you pass when having sex. Any time there are bumps on the skin, the infection is contagious. ‚
Molluscum contagiosum is a common infection in children. It is most often on the face, neck, arms, armpits, and hands. It can be seen anywhere on the body. The only places this infection does not affect are the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. In adults, it is most often on the genitals, belly, or inner thigh. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Do not scratch or itch the bumps to avoid spreading the virus.
- Do not share towels, clothes, or personal things with anyone else.
- Do not share baths or go into swimming pools while you have bumps on your body.
- If your child has this problem, do not let your child share toys with other children.
- Avoid sex or practice safe sex. Using condoms may not prevent the spread of this virus.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor may send you to a skin specialist called a dermatologist.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Remove lesions
- Help with itching
Will physical activity be limited?
While you have this problem, you should not swim in a pool as this can spread to other people. If you are a gymnast, wrestler, or play contact sports, you may spread this problem through direct contact or by touching mats or equipment. Ask your doctor what activity is safe for you. ‚
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Avoid contact with skin lesions.
- Do not share towels, clothes, or baths with people who may be affected.
- Practice safe sex with one partner. Condoms may not fully protect you.
- Use caution when doing sports such as swimming, wrestling, or gymnastics. The virus may be spread on mats and in the water.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Swelling, redness, warmth, and pain around the affected area
- Problem spreads to other areas of your body
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Helpful tips
- If you have this problem, avoid touching or scratching the bumps. Doing this can make the problem worse. It may spread to other parts of your body or spread to other people more easily.
- Do not shave areas that have bumps on them.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what I can do to help avoid passing the infection to others.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have swelling, redness, or warmth around the affected area or the problem spreads.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Dermatologists ‚
http://www.aad.org/skin-conditions/dermatology-a-to-z/molluscum-contagiosum ‚
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/molluscum/overview.htm ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/skin/molluscum_contagiosum.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚