Molluscum contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is a common viral infection that causes round, firm, painless bumps on the skin that range in size from a point to approx. up to 6 mm If you pick or injure the bump, the infection may spread to the surrounding skin
molluscum contagiosum is most common in children, although it can also occur in adults, especially in the case of a weakened immune system. In adults with normal immune function, molluscum contagiosum sometimes occurs on the genitals, and in this case the infection is sexually transmitted.
Contagious molluscum is spread by touching people and touching contaminated objects. The lump that occurs with molluscum contagiosum usually goes away on its own within 1 year without treatment, although it can be excised by a doctor.
The virus that causes molluscum contagiosum is easily spread:
- Skin contact
- Contaminated items – towel, toy, door handle
- Sexual contact
- Itching, irritation – surrounding skin
A sign of molluscum contagiosum is a skin bump that is:
- raised, round and flesh-colored
- small in size, typically 6 mm or less in diameter
- usually has a small depression in the center
- may become red and inflamed
- may cause
