Skin around the molluscum may become pink, rough, and itchy. This eczema-like reaction can lead to scratching, which can lead to viral spread. The molluscum bumps themselves may become red and swollen, sometimes forming pus-filled pimples. This is usually a good sign that the immune system is fighting the virus and starting to clear the infection.
When molluscum bumps go away, they may leave pink-purple or white spots that fade over time. Doctors can typically recognize molluscum by looking at the skin.
Occasionally, scraping or biopsy is done to confirm the diagnosis. Because molluscum clears on its own over months to a few years, treatment is not needed if the bumps are not bothersome. There is no reason to keep children home from day care or school. The vast majority of people with molluscum, even those with many persistent bumps, have normal immune systems. However, patients with immune disorders may have severe infections. If there is an itchy rash or eczema, apply a topical steroid over-the-counter hydrocortisone or prescription daily for 1 or 2 weeks.
This is applied to individual bumps and washed off in 2 to 4 hours; fluid-filled blisters then form, and ideally the bumps resolve as the blisters heal.
Correction: This article was corrected on October 9, , to clarify the function of skin creams used at home. Conflict of Interest Disclosures: None reported. Molluscum Contagiosum. JAMA Dermatol. Coronavirus Resource Center. Our website uses cookies to enhance your experience.
By continuing to use our site, or clicking "Continue," you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy Continue. Small raised growths that have a smooth, waxy surface The medical name is molluscum contagiosum Viral infection of the skin A doctor has told you your child has molluscum or Your child has had close contact with another person who has it Symptoms of Molluscum Small bumps with a waxy or pearl-colored, smooth surface May have a dimple indent in center Bumps are firm with a core of white material.
This is a different virus than the one that causes warts. Friction or picking at them causes them to increase in number. To Treat or Not to Treat? Some doctors advise not treating them if there are only a few. Reason: They are harmless and painless. They have a natural tendency to heal and go away on their own. When Special Treatment is Considered Your child picks at them They are in areas of friction for example, the armpit They are spreading quickly or You feel they are a cosmetic problem Prevent Spread to Others Avoid baths or hot tubs with other children.
Reason: Can spread in warm water. Benzoyl peroxide makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so either avoid excessive exposure to sunlight and sources of ultraviolet UV light such as sunbeds or sun lamps, or wear sun cream. Avoid getting the medicine on hair and clothes, as it can bleach them. Wash your hands thoroughly after you finish applying the medicine. Tretinoin is available as a liquid that's applied once or twice a day to individual spots.
As with benzoyl peroxide, tretinoin can make your skin sensitive to sunlight and UV light. Tretinoin is not suitable for use during pregnancy because it can cause birth defects. It's important to use a reliable method of contraception while taking tretinoin if you're a sexually active woman. The most common side effects of tretinoin are mild irritation and stinging of the skin. It may take several months before you notice an improvement in your symptoms.
They can be painful, so are not generally suitable for children. They must always be carried out by a suitably qualified healthcare professional. Cryotherapy involves freezing the spots with liquid nitrogen to remove them. Each spot is frozen for seconds, so that a layer of ice forms over the spot and surrounding skin. You may need several sessions of cryotherapy before each spot clears completely. You'll need to wait 2 to 3 weeks between each treatment session. Diathermy uses heat to remove the spots.
The area being treated is numbed with a local anaesthetic and a heated electrical device is used to burn off the spots. Curettage removes spots by scraping them off with a thin, metal, spoon-like instrument called a curette.
As with diathermy, you may have a local anaesthetic before having this type of treatment. Pulsed-dye laser treatment is a relatively new type of treatment for MC. It uses a powerful beam of light to destroy the cells that make up each spot. You may experience some skin discolouration and discomfort in the treated areas, but this should improve within a few weeks.
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