MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM

OVERVIEW

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin infection caused by a poxvirus. It produces small, smooth, dome-shaped papules that are often flesh-colored or pearly and characteristically develop a central indentation (umbilication).

Molluscum is a benign, self-limited infection and often resolves spontaneously. Individual lesions can persist for months, however, and new lesions may continue to develop through direct transmission or autoinoculation.

CLINICAL FEATURES

Molluscum lesions typically:

Are small, round, smooth, and dome-shaped
Have a characteristic central depression or umbilication
Occur singly or in clusters
May appear on the face, trunk, extremities, or genital region
Are usually painless

Lesions can become red, inflamed, itchy, crusted, or irritated, particularly as the immune system begins responding to the infection or after scratching, shaving, or other trauma.

TRANSMISSION AND SPREAD

Molluscum contagiosum spreads through:

Direct skin-to-skin contact
Autoinoculation, including scratching, picking, or shaving over lesions
Contact with contaminated personal items such as towels or clothing

New lesions can continue to appear while active molluscum is present, particularly when lesions are repeatedly scratched or traumatized.

GENITAL MOLLUSCUM IN ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS

In adults, molluscum involving the genital region is commonly acquired through sexual skin-to-skin contact. Lesions can spread to adjacent skin or to sexual partners.

Because HPV and molluscum are different viral infections, genital molluscum should also be distinguished from genital warts, which are caused by human papillomavirus.

In children, molluscum is commonly transmitted through non-sexual skin contact, shared personal items, or autoinoculation. Genital or nearby lesions in a child do not by themselves establish sexual transmission. Distribution, history, associated findings, and the overall clinical context are important in evaluation.

WHEN TREATMENT IS CONSIDERED

Because molluscum is self-limited, not every lesion requires treatment. Treatment is commonly pursued for:

Persistent or spreading lesions
Multiple lesions or continued development of new lesions
Recurrent irritation, itching, or inflammation
Lesions repeatedly traumatized by shaving or clothing
Facial or genital lesions
Cosmetic or psychosocial concerns
Extensive or persistent disease in patients with impaired immune function

Treatment is directed at removing visible lesions and limiting continued spread while the underlying infection resolves.

TREATMENT APPROACH AT IVSI

Treatment is based on the number, size, location, distribution, and behavior of the lesions, as well as age, skin characteristics, and previous treatment.

Management may include observation, prescription topical therapy, procedural treatment, or a combination of approaches.

PRESCRIPTION TOPICAL THERAPY

Prescription topical therapy can be used for selected molluscum lesions and is particularly useful when multiple lesions are present or when procedural treatment of every lesion is undesirable.

Treatment generally requires repeated application over time, and response varies among individual lesions.

PROCEDURAL AND LASER TREATMENT

For persistent, numerous, or anatomically sensitive lesions, procedural treatment can provide controlled treatment of individual visible lesions.

At IVSI, treatment can include:

CO₂ laser destruction, allowing precise removal of individual molluscum lesions
Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) treatment, which targets hemoglobin within the small blood vessels supplying the lesion
Other physician-selected procedural treatment based on lesion characteristics and location

CO₂ laser and PDL work through different mechanisms, allowing treatment to be selected according to the clinical presentation.

As with other destructive procedures, treatment removes visible lesions but does not prevent additional lesions from appearing from infection already present elsewhere in the skin.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

Molluscum can spread through skin contact and autoinoculation
Scratching, picking, and shaving over lesions can contribute to spread
New lesions can appear during the course of the infection, including after existing lesions have been treated
Treatment of visible lesions does not immediately eliminate the underlying viral infection
Molluscum generally resolves as the immune system develops an effective response to the virus

LONG-TERM EXPECTATIONS

Molluscum contagiosum is a self-limited viral infection. With or without treatment, the infection eventually resolves in most immunocompetent patients.

Procedural or topical treatment can reduce the number of visible lesions, control symptoms, and limit continued spread, but new lesions can continue to appear until the infection has resolved.

Evaluate Molluscum Contagiosum

IVSI evaluates and treats persistent, spreading, facial, genital, and other symptomatic molluscum lesions.

📞 Call (847) 518-9999 to schedule a dermatology evaluation.

Medical Disclaimer
This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace individualized medical evaluation. Treatment recommendations depend on clinical findings, diagnostic requirements, and patient-specific factors. Outcomes may vary, and no specific medical result can be guaranteed.

Learn More About