Overview
Molluscum contagiosum (mo-LUS-kum kun-tay-jee-OH-sum) is a relatively common viral infection of the skin that results in round, firm, painless bumps ranging in size from a pinhead to a pencil eraser. If the bumps are scratched or injured, the infection can spread to surrounding skin. Molluscum contagiosum also spreads through person-to-person contact and contact with infected objects.
Though most common in children, molluscum contagiosum can affect adults as well — particularly those with weakened immune systems. In adults with an otherwise normal immune system, molluscum contagiosum involving the genitals is considered a sexually transmitted infection.
The bumps associated with molluscum contagiosum usually disappear within a year without treatment but doctor-assisted removal is also an option.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of molluscum contagiosum include bumps on the skin that:
- Are raised, round and flesh colored
- Are small — typically under about 1/4 inch (smaller than 6 millimeters) in diameter
- Characteristically have a small indentation (umbilication) or dot at the top near the center
- Can become red and inflamed
- May be itchy
- Can be easily removed by scratching or rubbing, which can spread the virus to adjacent skin
- Usually appear on the face, neck, armpits, arms and tops of the hands in children
- May be seen on the genitals, lower abdomen and inner upper thighs in adults if the infection was sexually transmitted
Causes
The virus that causes molluscum contagiosum spreads easily through:
- Skin-to-skin contact
- Contact with contaminated objects, such as towels
- Sexual contact with an affected partner
- Scratching or rubbing the bumps, which spreads the virus to nearby skin
It’s not clear if the molluscum contagiosum virus can spread in the chlorinated water found in swimming pools. Experts suspect that it’s more likely that swimmers transmit the virus through shared use of towels; equipment, such as kickboards; or skin contact.
Risk factors
The virus that causes molluscum contagiosum spreads easily through:
- Skin-to-skin contact
- Contact with contaminated objects, such as towels
- Sexual contact with an affected partner
- Scratching or rubbing the bumps, which spreads the virus to nearby skin
It’s not clear if the molluscum contagiosum virus can spread in the chlorinated water found in swimming pools. Experts suspect that it’s more likely that swimmers transmit the virus through shared use of towels; equipment, such as kickboards; or skin contact.
Prevention
The virus that causes molluscum contagiosum spreads easily through:
- Skin-to-skin contact
- Contact with contaminated objects, such as towels
- Sexual contact with an affected partner
- Scratching or rubbing the bumps, which spreads the virus to nearby skin
It’s not clear if the molluscum contagiosum virus can spread in the chlorinated water found in swimming pools. Experts suspect that it’s more likely that swimmers transmit the virus through shared use of towels; equipment, such as kickboards; or skin contact.