Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum Contagiosum is a common non-cancerous skin growth caused by a viral infection in the top layers of the skin. They are similar to warts, but are caused by a different virus. The name molluscum contagiosum implies that the virus and the growths are easily spread by skin contact. The virus that causes molluscum contagiosum belongs to a family of viruses called poxviruses. This virus can enter through small breaks in the skin or hair follicles and can lead to the development of the molluscum lesions. Molluscum are usually small flesh-colored or pink dome-shaped growths. The may appear shiny and have a small indentation in the center. They are often found in clusters on the skin of the chest, abdomen, arms, groin or buttock.

Treatment: Molluscum are treated in the same ways that warts are treated. They can be frozen with liquid nitrogen, destroyed with various acids or blistering solutions, treated with an electric needle (electrocautery), scraped off with a sharp instrument (curette), treated daily with a home application or with anti-viral