MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM

Molluscum Contagiosum is a very common skin infection which can spread easily from one person to another. The infection mostly affects children under the age of 15 years. It can be identified by the formation of round, firm, painless bumps or papules on the skin. The papules so formed are completely itch free. This infection can affect any part of your body but is generally found on the arms, legs and the trunk.

Symptoms

Once a person is exposed to the virus that causes Molluscum Contagiosum, it may take at least 7 weeks to even a few months for the bumps to appear. The bumps so formed can be identified as small, firm, flesh-colored, dome-shaped, pearly, wart-like spots on the skin. They usually appear in a cluster on the top layer of the skin.

As discussed earlier, the infection is highly contagious and so can be transmitted sexually. If a person develops mollusca sexually, the bumps are most likely to appear on the genitalia, groin, inner thighs and lower abdomen. Once formed, the Mollusca can spread to other parts of the body. But, once the papules dry up, they are unlikely to reform.

Causes

Molluscum Contagiosum develops due to the presence of virus. The virus that causes the infection can spread easily through-

  • Direct contact with contaminated articles, like towels
  • Sexual contact with a person affected by the infection
  • Skin-to-skin contact
  • Scratching or rubbing the bumps which spreads the virus to the nearby skin

Prevention

In order to prevent the virus from spreading, a person should-

  • Wash Hands: Maintaining a proper hygiene is a key to prevent the spreading of virus. In order to do so, make sure you wash your hands from time to time.
  • Avoid touching the bumps: Touching or scratching the bumps spreads the virus to other parts of the skin. Apart from this, make sure you do not shave the infected area as it can increase the infection too.
  • Don’t share personal belongings: Make it a point that you don’t share your personal belongings like towels, clothes, hairbrushes or any other items that come in contact with your skin with others. Also, avoid borrowing such items since it may spread the virus to the other person as well.
  • Avoid sexual contact: If you have Molluscum anywhere on or near your genitals, don’t have sex until the bumps are completely gone.
  • Cover the bumps: In order to prevent the virus from spreading, cover the bumps with an article of clothing to prevent direct contact with others.