Molluscum contagiosum
Molluscum are smooth, pearly, flesh-colored skin growths. They begin as small
bumps and may grow as large as a pencil eraser. Usually, molluscum are found on
the face and body, but may grow in the mouth or on the eyelid.
What causes molluscum?
The growths are caused
by a virus; many of them have a central pit where the virus bodies live.
Molluscum can be itchy and the skin around the growths may become infected. The
bumps usually last from two weeks to one and a half years and can go away by
themselves. The molluscum may be passed from child to child by direct
contact.
How is it treated?
Although molluscum
eventually resolve, lesions spread easily, may become infected, may be itchy or
irritated and are sometimes cosmetically objectionable. Therefore, they are
often removed. The treatment depends on the age of the patient and the size and
location of the growths.
- Cantharone, a blistering agent made from beetles, is applied with a
wooden applicator to the skin growth. The medicine should be washed off in 4 to 6
hours. A small blister usually forms in a few hours to one day. When the scab
falls off, the growth is gone. This treatment is useful because the
application is not painful; it is used carefully and selectively on the face
and in skin creases. Occasionally no blistering occurs, but sometimes,
children are quite sensitive and extensive blistering is seen. Scarring does
not occur from Cantharone treatment. Although the blisters are uncomfortable,
they are very superficial and resolve within a few days. Compresses with
lukewarm water and breaking the blisters with a sterile needle may help.
- Freezing the growths with liquid nitrogen is another form of treatment.
Applied with a cotton-tipped applicator, the liquid nitrogen causes the
affected area to feel hot for a moment, and then a blister or irritation may
form at the site.
- Another way to remove molluscum is by scraping the bump or
removing the center—a treatment that is usually performed only after numbing the area
with a special cream.
All forms of treatment may cause some discomfort, which is usually eased by
acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol, Tempra) or ibuprofen (e.g. Advil, Motrin).
Will the growths come back?
Sometimes, new
molluscum may form while existing lesions are being treated. Any lesions large
enough to be seen will be treated. Multiple treatments are usually required.
Don't be concerned if molluscum recur or new lesions present, just make an
appointment for further therapy.