Molluscum Infections

Molluscum contagiosum is a very common skin disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control, molluscum is caused by a virus. The infection is most common in children, though an infection can occur in adults. The infection causes small, painless bumps upon the skin that will clear up on its own, usually within a year. However, if the bumps are scratched and injured, an infection can occur to the surrounding skin of the bump.

Appearance

• When you develop a molluscum infection, small little papules (bumps) that are pink, white, or flesh -colored will appear on the skin. In adults, a molluscum infection usually appears around the genital region. According to the Mayo Clinic, a molluscum infection of the genitals is usually considered a sexually transmitted disease. Though the sores are usually painless, they can become swollen and sore. In people with compromised immune systems such as HIV/AIDS patients, the bumps can become large, and easily spread to other areas upon the body.

Transmission

• In a process known as autoinoculation, a molluscum infection can be spread when you scratch a bump, and then touch another part of your body. You can also transfer the virus to other people through person to person contact. For example, you can transfer the virus to someone else if they come into contact with one of the bumps on your body. If you have a bump on your hand and touch an object, and someone else touches the object, the virus can also be transfered. This can happen if someone uses clothing or towels after you have used them. A molluscum infection can also be passed through sexual contact.

Signs and Symptoms

• The papules are raised and round, and have a small indentation at the very top of the bump. You can easily remove a bump when you scratch at it. According to the Mayo Clinic, bumps on children generally appear on the child's face, armpits, hands, arms, and neck. In adults, the bumps may be located around the genitals, lower abdomen, between your thighs, and on the buttocks. Keep in mind that molluscum is not associated with genital warts.

Seeing a Physician

• If you do have an appearance of molluscum upon the genital region, get screened for STDs. Any signs of molluscum around the genitals means that a potential venereal disease was spread through sexual contact. If you're concerned for your child, your child's pediatrician can examine the exact characteristics of the bumps. Skin scrapings of the bumps may be taken to examine under a microscope. Treatments usually include freezing, wart removal medications or scraping of the bumps and a topical anesthetic to relieve pain.

Prevention/Solution

• It is always important to wash your hands to prevent the spreading of any germs or viruses. Infections commonly occur because of the lack of proper hygiene. If you do have a molluscum infection, don't pick at your bumps. Try not to scratch the bumps either. If you pick at your bumps, you can easily spread the infection to other parts of your body, or spread the infection to others. Picking and scratching at the bumps can also develop blisters, and allow bacteria to enter the sores. As a result, you can develop a serious skin infection. You may want to consider keeping affected areas covered with a bandage to prevent the spread of infection. Always keep your affected areas clean.