HWN Suggests

Molluscum Contagiosum

Maybe the utterance you use to concoct a magic linctus in Potions class that you distil into shellfish served at dinner to poison your mortal enemies!!

But no, no no. Instead the reality is much more boring. It is an extremely common viral skin infection that occurs in children (and less commonly in teens and adults) that causes a bumpy rash on the skin. I would see cases of it most weeks in clinics. The bumps (also called mollusca) start off looking like little pimples, then develop into round lumps that are shiny or pearly in appearance (unlike warts (that are also caused by a virus, but a different virus) that have a “cauliflower-like” surface) and often have a little dimple in…

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Articles of Interest

Molluscum contagiosum (Water warts)

Molluscum contagiosum, sometimes called water warts, is a common viral skin infection (poxvirus) with multiple small smooth wart-like lesions with a small pit in the middle. They are most common in children, but adults can also be affected.

Molluscum Contagiosum: Is it as Scary as it Sounds?

Our intent with this blog is to help you better understand one common, yet misunderstood, skin condition that impacts millions of children (and adults) every year: Molluscum Contagiosum.

Molluscum Contagiosum: what to do about this skin infection?

No one treatment emerges triumphant from this Cochrane Review. In the majority of cases natural resolution is the way forward. Explanations about how long it may take to resolve, as well as reassurance that there is usually nothing to worry about, will help encourage patience. T

My Approach to Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a virus in the poxvirus family. This is different from the human papilloma virus (HPV) family that causes warts, but these two conditions are commonly discussed together because they are contagious viral diseases that cause skin lesions. Molluscum spreads quite easily from person to person, with many families having multiple children infected at the same time,

BOTE sign in molluscum contagiosum

Recently, the acronym ‘BOTE’ sign has been proposed to help underscore the significance of the inflamed lesion as an expected variation in the evolution of immune response to the virus, rather than bacterial superinfection.

Resources

About Molluscum

About Molluscum provides visitors a website to learn a little more about what is often a misunderstood and undertreated skin disease...

MolluDab

Why wait 18 months for molluscum contagiosum to clear?

The Molluscum Contagiosum Blog

The internet is flooded with information about Molluscum Contagiosum and it’s treatments, but we know you need simple, friendly and accurate information about this disease, that is why we developed this blog.

Miriam Sommer

Molluscum contagiosum (MC), also called Molluscum epitheliae, Epithelioma molluscum, and sometimes called water warts (“waterwratjes” in Dutch) is a member of the poxvirus family and is responsible for a common contagious viral disease that has a very high incidence in children, sexually active adults and in immunodeficient individuals.

MolluscumRx

Without relying on chemical ingredients, MolluscumRx is a highly effective supplement for molluscum contagiosum lesions, comprised of organic plant extracts.

Pediatric EM Morsels

Papules are often dome-shaped and are flesh-colored or pink. They can become red when irritated (particularly after the kid has been scratching at them).

Peds4Kids

These bumps are can be found anywhere on the body except for the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.

The Pediatrician Mom

Molluscum is a nuisance, and can cause distress because of its appearance, but it is generally considered a benign rash.

CDC

Molluscum contagiosum is an infection caused by a poxvirus (molluscum contagiosum virus). The result of the infection is usually a benign, mild skin disease characterized by lesions (growths) that may appear anywhere on the body. Within 6-12 months, Molluscum contagiosum typically resolves without scarring but may take as long as 4 years.

DermNet

Molluscum contagiosum mainly affects infants and young children under the age of 10 years. It is more prevalent in warm climates than cool ones, and in overcrowded environments. Adolescents and adults are less often infected.

StatPearls

Molluscum contagiosum, also called water warts, is a benign condition of the skin. The skin lesions of molluscum contagiosum are called mollusca. The typical lesion appears dome-shaped, round, and pinkish-purple in color.