Molluscum Contagiosum

A couple people have emailed me asking about Mihret's bumps.  While in Ethiopia, I was gifted with an email of information from a friend, who works within the BC health system.  Although I knew what they were, I had some denial while reading the confirmation of what they were simply because in reading things contagious, you get nervous.

 

Mihret has molluscum contagiosum on her face, and one on her chest.  In Ethiopia, we treated some of them through curettage, as noted below, only as they were ready to burst to alleviate the possibility of it spreading further on Mihret, or to the rest of us.  They are highly contagious, in that they spread very easy. Since we have been home, only the one on her chest has needed to be treated, and I again did that through cutterage [partially because she had burst it by accident and it was HUGE].  

Today Mihret had her first doctor's appointment with our family physician.  She doesn't see the pediatrician until the end of the month.  He confirmed the information and treatment of the molluscum.  Through good hygiene [to alleviate further spreading to her and others] and healthy nutrition [to keep the inside of the body clean], they will continue to cycle through and disappear.  This could take up to six months.    

 

What is molluscum contagiosum?

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection of the skin caused by a poxvirus. The virus is easily spread but not harmful.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms can appear anytime from 2 weeks to 6 months after contact with the virus. They begin as tiny painless bumps and grow over several weeks to become small, firm, waxy, pinkish-white, raised lesions, which may have a small crater in the centre of them. The bumps may become swollen and turn red as the body's natural way of fighting the virus.

In children, these symptoms or bumps may appear on the face, body, legs and arms. In adults, these bumps can occur almost anywhere on the body. If the viral infection is sexually transmitted, these symptoms are usually found on the abdomen, groin, external genitals, buttocks or thighs. Molluscum contagiosum is contagious until the bumps are gone.

How does the infection spread?

The infection can spread from one part of the body to another or to other people. The infection is spread by direct skin-to-skin contact, scratching the lesions or bumps, touching objects that have the virus on them, or through sexual contact. In children, the symptoms can be spread to the genital area by scratching.

If you have symptoms, contact your doctor or health care provider. You can also call 811 and speak to a registered nurse.

Who is at risk?

Anyone who has skin-to-skin contact with an infected person is at risk of getting the infection. While molluscum contagiosum is most common among children under 10 years of age, the infection can affect anyone. In young adults, molluscum contagiosum is primarily a sexually transmitted infection (STI). The infection can be more severe among people with a weaker immune system.

Although it is found throughout the world, molluscum contagiosum is more common in places with warm, humid climates.

How is it treated?

In some cases, lesions or bumps may persist for years, but they usually go away without treatment in 2 to 6 months. If these symptoms appear around the eyes, they may be treated to prevent irritation. Treatment of symptoms in the genital area will prevent them from spreading to partners through sexual contact.

Home treatment includes trying not to scratch lesions or bumps and using bandages to cover them.
If the symptoms cause concern, or to stop them from spreading, a doctor may use any of the following treatments:

• Cryotherapy - freezing and removing the bumps with liquid nitrogen;

• Curettage - removing the viral material in the centre of the lesion or bump; or

• Medication - applying medication to the lesions or bumps to help them go away.