Sexually active teens with bumps in the groin or inner thighs can spread them to partners. Doctors can usually tell a rash is molluscum by looking at it. Sometimes they might suggest that a person see a dermatologist skin doctor , but most teens won't need this. Teens with molluscum can still go to school and play sports. To prevent the spread of molluscum to other places on their body and to other people, they should:. Most of the time, molluscum clears up on its own without treatment.
Each bump goes away in about 2—3 months. New bumps can appear as old ones go away, so it can take months and sometimes longer for molluscum to fully go away. Many doctors don't recommend these treatments, though. That's because they can be painful and burn, blister, stain, or scar the skin. When deciding to treat a rash, they consider where the bumps are and if they're causing itching, pain, or other problems.
Talk with your doctor about the pros and cons of treating molluscum. The rash usually doesn't cause long-term problems or leave scars.
Often, the best way to handle it is to be patient, as hard as that might be. Reviewed by: Melanie L. Pitone, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is Molluscum Contagiosum? The rash is the telltale sign of molluscum. Financial assistance for medically necessary services is based on family income and hospital resources and is provided to children under age 21 whose primary residence is in Washington, Alaska, Montana or Idaho. For more information, see Website Privacy.
Skip to navigation menu Skip to content. High Priority Alert. Close alert. Informational Alert. Is this your child's symptom? Small raised growths that have a smooth, waxy surface The medical name is molluscum contagiosum Viral infection of the skin A doctor has told you your child has molluscum or Your child has had close contact with another person who has it Symptoms of Molluscum Small bumps with a waxy or pearl-colored, smooth surface May have a dimple indent in center Bumps are firm with a core of white material.
This is a different virus than the one that causes warts. A tiny patch of lighter skin or a pitted mark may remain, but there will not usually be any scars.
For a year or more, new Mollusca may continue to form in other parts of the body as old ones crust over and heal. Once they disappear completely, they are highly unlikely to come back. MCV can spread through close, direct contact with an infected person, normally through skin-to-skin contact, for instance, via sexual activity. It can also spread to different parts of the body, and to other people if they touch contaminated objects, such as towels.
Most people are resistant to the virus, and they are unlikely to become infected unless their immune system is compromised. Among children, MCV is common, but because it is benign and self-limiting, there is no need to miss days of school.
Medical advice is not always necessary, as the condition is self-limiting. If the individual has large lesions on the face or neck, an existing skin condition, or concerns about spreading the virus, treatment may be advised.
Curettage: This involves scraping the papule away using a curet, a spoon-shaped instrument with a sharp edge, possibly under local anesthetic. Cryotherapy: This uses pressurized liquid spray to freeze the papule. Each lesion is frozen for up to 10 seconds, or until a layer of ice forms over the spot and surrounding skin. Sometimes several sessions are needed.
Diathermy: This uses a heated electrical device to burn off the Mollusca under a local anesthetic. Chemical treatment: The doctor dips a sharp metal instrument into either podophyllin or phenol and then pricks each Mollusca.
These eventually burst and empty out their contents. Chemical treatment can cause scarring and is said to be uncomfortable. If dermatitis or eczema develops around the papules, the doctor may recommend a hydrocortisone cream, an ointment to relieve any itching, or a prescription topical steroid.
These are applied to the areas of dermatitis and not to the papules. Anyone with a weakened immune system will need specialist treatment, depending on the extent of the MCV and the reason for the weakened immune system. MCV does not stay dormant in the body, and it does not reappear. When it is gone, it is unlikely to return, unless there is a new infection. Eczema can appear around the Mollusca in some cases, causing itching, swelling, and sometimes pain.
Eczema can lead to scratching, and this can increase the risk of infection and spreading of the virus, as well as slowing down the healing process. Picking or scratching the bumps can also lead to bacterial infection and itching.
The doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Complications are more likely to affect people with a weakened immune system. This can be because of HIV , chemotherapy , or the use of certain medications.
Scarring may remain as small patches of paler skin or tiny indents.
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