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Molluscum contagiosum is a contagious virus that causes small nodules on the skin, which usually clear up on their own within a year or two. It can be spread through skin-to-skin contact or by handling things that have been touched by someone with the virus. Treatment is available, but many people choose to let the infection run its course. It is recommended to see a dermatologist for treatment.
Molluscum contagiosum is a virus of the poxvirus family that causes small nodules to appear on the skin. The virus only infects the skin and usually clears up on its own within a year or two. People may seek treatment for cosmetic reasons to reduce their risk of spreading the virus to other people, but they often choose to allow the infection to run its course without interference. As the name suggests, molluscum contagiosum is contagious and can spread to people who share a household or through a school with young children.
The virus can be spread through skin-to-skin contact or by handling things that have been handled by someone who has the virus, such as towels. Molluscum contagiosum begins as a single pearl-like lump on the skin. People can self-inoculate, causing the virus to spread by rubbing one lump against other areas of the skin, causing more nodules to appear. Once the virus within a single nodule dies, the nodule deflates and resolves on its own.
The characteristic bumps on the skin caused by this disease may be mistaken for warts or skin tags, but once they start spreading, a doctor can quickly diagnose molluscum contagiosum. In most cases, the patient will simply be advised to wait for the virus to come out and to be careful of skin-to-skin contact with other people until the nodules resolve. However, the nodules can be removed with a laser, scalpel, or device that freezes the skin, and some people find that using astringents or smothering the nodules with duct tape will make them disappear.
In most people, molluscum contagiosum infection is not a threat, although it may feel uncomfortable or attention-grabbing from people who notice the lumps. In individuals with compromised immune systems, the infection can become more complicated and the nodules have a high chance of spreading. In these cases, it is highly recommended that you see a doctor, and your doctor may decide that the nodules need to be removed or treated with medicated ointments.
A dermatologist is the best person to see a suspected molluscum contagiosum infection, as the virus infects the skin and dermatologists are experienced in treating skin conditions. Some primary care physicians may also offer treatment to a patient infected with this virus, especially if the infection is mild and the patient is relatively healthy otherwise. Unlike its more famous relative, smallpox, molluscum contagiosum isn’t deadly, and an infection shouldn’t be a major cause for concern.
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