MOLLUSCUM

Molluscum is a skin infection caused by a virus (poxvirus). They most frequently affect children from 3 to 8 years of age, although they can also affect adults

What is it?

Molluscum are skin infections caused by a virus (poxvirus). Most frequently affect children between 3-8 years of age, but can also affect adults. It is most commonly spread in swimming pools, kindergardens etc. The virus is transmitted by direct person-to-person contact as well as through utensils, equipment and clothing. Children with atopic dermatitis are more likely to be infected.

Symptoms

Papules (skin lesions) that are less than 5 millimeters develop more often on the neck, trunk and lower limbs. Initially one or just a few injuries show up, but after a short period of time it is usual to see 10 to 15 papules at the same time. They are not painful but if scratched, they can become infected.

Diagnosis

A dermatologist can diagnose it clinically by examining patients skin and going over medical history. Rarely tests are needed, but these may include curettage (shaving) from injury to study it under a microscope and see if patient is infected with the virus that causes molluscum. Sometimes the diagnosis is more difficult. In this case a granuloma may appear due to the mollusks penetration deep on the dermis.

Treatment

The treatment is to remove the lesions of the molluscum, for which we have various techniques listed below. In the case of children with molluscum it is encouraged to try an anesthetic cream prior to any removal treatment.

Ablative treatments to be performed clinically: remove the lesions with a special spoon (shaving), cryosurgery (liquid nitrogen) or CO2 laser. If there is a significant number we apply an anesthetic cream 30 minutes before.

We are careful not to traumatize the child. We create an emotional relationship with the child and on the first session we eliminate the fear while we treat a few lesions with little discomfort. In the next sessions a greater number of molluscum will be removed.

There are also home treatments that destroy molluscum. There are several pharmaceutical companies that sell them. You must however, go to the dermatologist for a proper diagnosis before starting to treat these injuries to assure proper diagnosis. The disadvantage of this technique is that the appearance of redness around the treated lesions might leave a small scar behind.

Las desventajas de esta técnica es el enrojecimiento que se produce alrededor de las lesiones tratadas, y puede quedar una pequeña señal.

Often autoinoculation and recurrences occur after treatment; so 2-3 sessions will be required to eliminate all injuries.

Prognosis

They usually heal by themselves but can last about 2 years ago, so usually try to avoid contagion act. Do not forget to try this treat skin, susceptible to future infections.

Dr. Pablo Umbert Millet

Director of Instituto Pablo Umbert · Dermatologist and Dermatopathologist

Dr. Pablo Umbert is one of the leading experts in clinical dermatology, dermatopathology, and Mohs micrographic surgery in Spain. With over 30 years of experience, an international career at the Mayo Clinic and Saint-Louis Hospital in Paris, and more than 100,000 biopsies signed, he remains active as an emeritus professor at Hospital Universitario Sagrat Cor, where he supervises clinical cases and trains new generations of dermatologists.