Molluscum Contagiosum
Dr. David Robles is a board-certified dermatologist and native of Southern California. He attended undergraduate at the California State University of Long Beach and completed his degree in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Colorado in Denver. There he joined the prestigious Medical Scientist Training Program and... more
Molluscum contagiosum is a common viral infection seen mostly in children. Molluscum lesions are small, round, pearly papules that can occur anywhere on the skin. A close-up exam of these tiny bumps reveals a central indentation, which is very characteristic of these lesions. It may be often associated with eczema but may occur by itself. Since eczema is itchy and is associated with a defective skin barrier, the scratching helps spread the molluscum papules.
Good control of eczema is very important in limiting the spread of the molluscum. Molluscum contagiosum is transmitted via skin-to-skin contact. A child's immune system is still learning how to defend against viruses in the environment and this infection will help “educate the immune system” on how to clear the molluscum virus in the future. Recurrences in the future are unlikely.
Although molluscum contagiosum may resolve spontaneously, treatment is often requested when there are many of them or when they are cosmetically significant. In children, the best treatment option is one that is the least painful. In my clinic, I frequently use cantharidin, which is a blistering beetle extract. Cantharidin is safe, effective, relatively painless, and nontraumatic. Sometimes people get blisters at the site of treatment and antibiotic ointment and Tylenol or ibuprofen is usually sufficient.
