Molluscum is common in children.
If you or your child develop an unusual rash of small, flesh-colored bumps, the culprit could be molluscum contagiosum, a highly contagious viral skin infection. Luckily, the virus goes away in time and is generally nothing to worry about.
Causes
Molluscum contagiosum is a skin condition caused by the pox virus, according to the Mayo Clinic. This virus is spread through skin-to-skin contact or through touching shared objects, like doorknobs or toys. It can also be spread through sexual contact.
Symptoms
Molluscum leads to small white or flesh-colored bumps on the skin that can be confused with genital warts or flat warts. The bumps have a characteristic dip or indent at the top and can become red or inflamed. They're usually 3 to 5 mm across. The bumps are easy to remove through scratching or picking, but this spreads the virus and leads to more bumps.
In Children
Molluscum is most commonly found in children and can run a course of a few months to a year. It usually goes away on its own without any treatment. Siblings an easily pass it to each other, so some doctors may prescribe treatment to help stop the cycle of infection. Molluscum causes no long-term health problems, according to the Mayo Clinic.
In Adults
Molluscum in adults is most often considered a sexually transmitted disease. It appears on the genitals and resembles genital warts. Unlike genital warts, molluscum is not incurable and causes no reproductive health problems.
Diagnosis
Most doctors diagnose molluscum visually. It can also be diagnosed by using a microscope to examine skin scrapings.
Treatment
Healthy people with fully functioning immune systems will clear molluscum on their own without treatment. For people with compromised immune systems or people with advanced infections, the bumps can be removed through cutting, laser or cryosurgery or treated with medications like Aldara.
Tags: genital warts, people with, according Mayo, according Mayo Clinic, flesh-colored bumps
