Molluscum Contagiosum: Transmission & Treatment
Molluscum Contagiosum refers to small skin growths (nodules, moles, or pimples), also known as water warts.
Molluscum Contagiosum
Despite the confusion caused by its complex scientific name, molluscum contagiosum is a harmless, generally benign mild skin condition that affects both adults and children.
What is Molluscum Contagiosum? Molluscum contagiosum is a sexually transmitted disease in adults, and it is very common in children. Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin infection, and the virus that causes it, Molluscum Contagiosum Virus (MCV), belongs to the poxvirus family. Molluscum contagiosum is characterized by small skin growths on the skin that resemble nodules, moles, or pimples, which are also called water warts. A typical lesion in molluscum contagiosum is round, skin-colored, pale pink, or dark brown, and ranges in size from a pinhead to the eraser on top of a pencil. Molluscum contagiosum is a benign skin disease and does not progress to malignancy.
Who does Molluscum Contagiosum affect? Molluscum contagiosum can be transmitted to anyone, regardless of age and gender. However, it seems that there are some population groups that are more likely to "catch" it, such as: Sexually active individuals. Athletes who come into body-to-body contact or share athletic equipment. People living in humid, warm areas and coming into contact with others. Children aged 1 to 10, especially when they have eczema. People with weakened immune systems who cannot fight off infections. Atopic dermatitis is also a factor responsible for the spread of symptoms due to the "cracks" it causes in the skin.
How is Molluscum Contagiosum transmitted? Molluscum contagiosum is a contagious viral skin infection caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus. Molluscum contagiosum can be easily transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact, including sexual contact, but also through indirect contact, meaning by sharing objects such as: razors underwear towels sex toys tattoo equipment In adults, molluscum contagiosum is usually transmitted through sexual contact. You can also "transfer" the virus to different parts of your body via autoinoculation, meaning: Touching or scratching skin lesions on your skin and then touching another area on your body. Shaving an area with skin lesions and using the same razor to shave a clean area. Performing electrolysis on the skin in areas with and without symptoms. Once the virus has spread, you will not see symptoms immediately. Bumps usually appear 2 to 6 weeks later.
Main Areas of Manifestation Molluscum contagiosum can appear anywhere on the skin, including the genital and anal areas. Common sites of appearance include: Genitals Perianal area Neck Armpits Lower abdomen Inner thighs Buttocks Molluscum contagiosum is rarely found on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Ocular lesions are mainly found on the eyelids, and have also been identified on the conjunctiva. The number of skin lesions ranges from one to dozens, usually not more than 20 to 30, and are often grouped together. The number of skin lesions ranges from one to dozens and are often grouped together.
Diagnosis If you suspect you have molluscum contagiosum, you should consult a dermatologist, who will confirm if it is this specific skin condition. Usually, a physical examination and medical history are sufficient to diagnose molluscum contagiosum. If there is any doubt, the doctor may also scrape the skin and examine a sample under a microscope. Patients often confuse molluscum contagiosum with genital warts, herpes, moles, staphylococcus, or pimples on the genitals.
Molluscum Contagiosum & Treatment Molluscum contagiosum is treated with a personalized approach for each patient, depending on their age, overall health status, size, severity, location, and extent of skin lesions. When skin lesions are located in the genital area, a visit to a dermatologist-venereologist is essential, as there is a possibility that another sexually transmitted disease may also be present. The doctor will evaluate each case and follow the ideal therapeutic approach. Molluscum contagiosum is treated, depending on the case, with the following methods: Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen. CO2 laser ablation, which precisely removes the lesions without affecting healthy tissue. Topical pharmaceutical treatment with special creams. Surgical excision with the SHAVE method, which is usually applied to larger skin lesions. After treatment is completed, the doctor will recommend follow-up for the management of any relapses.
Self-Limiting Infection Molluscum contagiosum is considered a self-limiting infection. The skin growths it causes may disappear within 6 to 12 months in some cases. However, it can take up to 4 years for them to recede. During this period, other symptoms may disappear and others may return, and as long as there are skin lesions, the virus is considered transmissible.
Reinfection The fact that you have recovered from molluscum contagiosum does not mean you have acquired immunity. You can become infected again. However, it should be noted that molluscum contagiosum is not one of those viruses that remain dormant in the body after treatment until they "wake up" again, such as the herpes virus. If you were treated and symptoms reappear, it means you have a new infection from an object.
Molluscum Contagiosum & Complications Complications that occur during molluscum contagiosum infection, such as inflammation, irritation, conjunctivitis (in the eyes), and abscess, will subside without leaving marks or scars. The most common complication is secondary bacterial infection, which can develop into a significant problem for immunosuppressed patients, such as individuals with AIDS or patients receiving immunosuppressive drug therapies.
Prevention Maintaining hygiene rules is the best way to prevent the transmission of molluscum contagiosum. Note that the virus survives only on the skin and is not transmitted after its disappearance. The first and most important rule to prevent transmission is not to scratch or rub the skin, neither your own nor another person's, that has molluscum contagiosum lesions, as this will facilitate transmission to your own body, as well as to others. The next important rule is to keep the affected area clean and covered to protect others from virus transmission. Furthermore, you should avoid sharing items such as towels, glasses, swimsuits, and in sports like wrestling and basketball, infected areas must be covered to prevent transmission. In general, you should be careful during sports activities. Also, you should not share personal items such as clothes, hairbrushes, wristwatches, soaps, sponges, or makeup items with other people. In case lesions have appeared on the genitals, on or near the penis, vulva, vagina, or anus, you should avoid sexual activity until you visit your dermatologist.
Molluscum Contagiosum & Epidemiological Profile Molluscum contagiosum is a benign skin infection that occurs with high frequency. It is estimated that 8,000 in 100,000 people develop the disease annually. Among children, boys and girls appear to be affected equally, while in adulthood, men seem to be more affected. The skin infection occurs worldwide, but it appears to "prefer" warm and humid climates with crowded living conditions.
Absolutely not! Besides not being effective, they can prove harmful. What will happen if I don't treat molluscum contagiosum lesions? Each body is different, so the disease can develop differently in each individual. The lesions caused by molluscum contagiosum may, in some cases, resolve on their own. However, there is a possibility that this may not happen and the lesions may spread to other parts of the body or to other people with whom the patient has close contact and shares common items. Therefore, the treatment of the lesions is considered necessary for preventive reasons as well.
Bibliography https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441898/ https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/molluscum-contagiosum/index.html https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/2547245
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Is molluscum contagiosum dangerous? What will happen if I don't treat the lesions?
Molluscum contagiosum is not a dangerous disease, nor is it associated with any form of malignancy. The lesions it causes may, in some cases, resolve on their own. If this does not happen, however, they can spread, and the chain of transmission can continue. For this reason, addressing the lesions is considered necessary for preventive reasons.
I was recently diagnosed with molluscum contagiosum. Could I have transmitted it to my recent partners?
If you had sexual contact after the appearance of the lesions on your body, then it would be advisable to inform your partners so that they are aware of the potential appearance of lesions on their bodies and, of course, for examination by a Dermatologist - Venereologist.
Does a condom protect me from molluscum contagiosum?
Condoms (male and female) do not fully protect against transmission, as molluscum contagiosum may be located in areas not covered by them. In any case, proper use reduces the chances of transmitting or contracting molluscum contagiosum and other sexually transmitted infections.
Can I catch molluscum contagiosum through coughing?
The virus that causes molluscum contagiosum remains in the superficial layers of the skin; it never enters the body, so you cannot catch it through coughing or sneezing.
Is molluscum contagiosum hereditary?
No, despite being contagious, molluscum contagiosum is not a hereditary condition.
