Notes and photos from dermnet – https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/molluscum-contagiosum/
Molluscum contagiosum is a common viral skin of childhood that causes clusters of called mollusca.
Who gets molluscum contagiosum?
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.
Mollusca tend to be more numerous and last longer in children who also have , due to deficiencies in the skin barrier. It can be very extensive and troublesome in patients with human immunodeficiency virus () or that have other reasons for poor immune function.
What is the treatment for molluscum contagiosum?
There is no single perfect treatment of molluscum contagiosum since we are currently unable to kill the virus. In many cases no specific treatment is necessary.
Physical treatments include:
Picking out the soft white core (note, this could lead to )
(can leave white marks)
Gentle curettage or electrodessication (can )
ablation (can ).
Medical treatments include:
Antiseptics such as hydrogen peroxide or povidone iodine
Wart paints containing salicylic acid
Imiquimod and sinecatechins are sometimes used but are unproven.
Secondary may be treated symptomatically with a mild corticosteroid such as hydrocortisone . is unlikely to fully resolve until the molluscum has cleared up
Molluscum contagiosum on and around the penis ( from Murtagh )
From eTG –
