Molluscum

How is it spread?

Molluscum is spread by direct skin-to-skin contact, scratching the bumps, or through sexual contact. The infection can spread from one part of the body to another, or to other people. If you have molluscum in your genital area, shaving can spread the virus.

What are the symptoms?

The virus invades the skin causing the appearance of firm, smooth, shiny, pinkish-white bumps which have a dip in the middle and a milky-white liquid inside. The bumps can appear anywhere on the body from several weeks to several months after contact with the virus. When sexually transmitted, the bumps are usually found on the external genitals, abdomen, groin, buttocks, and thighs. The bumps often remain unchanged for many months, but they usually go away without treatment in two to six months.

How is it diagnosed?

A healthcare provider can tell you if you have molluscum by visual inspection of the bumps.

How is it treated?

Treatment is done to help reduce the risk of giving the infection to someone else. The bumps can be treated effectively with liquid nitrogen. Even if treated, molluscum can reappear and treatment may need to be repeated.

Prevention

The use of condoms may lower the chance of getting molluscum through sexual contact, though because it is skin-to-skin, their effectiveness is limited. Trying not to scratch or squeeze the bumps and proper hand-washing are good practices for preventing direct contact transmission.