Molluscum contagiosum (also called water wart) is skin disease caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus (or MCV), a DNA poxvirus. This condition is commonly found in young children and affects the body, arms, and legs. It is spread through direct contact, saliva, or shared articles of clothing.

In adults, molluscum infections are often sexually transmitted and usually affects the genitals, lower abdomen, buttocks, and inner thighs. In rare cases, molluscum infections are also found in the lips and mouth.

Symptoms

The symptoms of molluscum contagiosum infection include flesh-colored, pea-sized or smaller bumps (called lesions) with dimpled center that may itch, become irritated, tender or painful. In about 10% of the cases, eczema develops around the lesions.

In most patients, however, these wart-like lesions do not have noticeable symptoms. These lesions are prone to secondary bacterial infections, which may obscure or complicate the original condition.

The central waxy opaque core of the lesions contain the virus. In a process called auto-innoculation , the lesion breaks to release the virus which subsequently cause new lesions at a different part of the skin. Children are particularly susceptible to auto-innoculation, and may have widespread clusters of lesions.

Treatments

Molluscum contagiosum infections usually go away by itself within 6 months to 2 years. For mild cases, over-the-counter wart medicines may help in shortening the duration of the infection.

Medical treatments for this condition include cryosurgery, where liquid nitrogen is used to freeze and destroy the lesion, as well as scraping them off with a curette. Side-effects from these treaments include permanent discoloration and scarring.

External links

• NIH sexually transmitted disease fact sheet
• Health In Plain English - Molluscum contagiosum
• UK NHS guidelines on Molluscum Contagiosum
• eMedicine - Molluscum contagiosum