What is chronic pruritus? Pruritus is a medical term for ‘itch’. Itch is an uncomfortable […]
- Home
- About Us
- General Health
- Men’s Health
- Women’s Health
- STD
- Skin & Allergy
- Blog
- Contact us
There are two schools of thought on the management of molluscum contagiosum. Some physicians prefer conservative treatment, allowing the immune system to run its course and clear off the virus over time. On the other hand, one may opt for a more proactive approach to medically treating the infection.
In this article, we explore the reasons for considering treating molluscum contagiosum.
Molluscum contagiosum is a benign viral skin infection caused by the poxvirus [1]. The infection causes small, discrete, firm, white skin bumps known as Mollusca, with a classical characteristic of a dimple or pit in the centre. Molluscum lesions can occur on any part of the body, including the face, neck, body, arms, legs, or even the genital region.
Medical literature shows that 70% of molluscum contagiosum infections take months (up to 6-18 months) to resolve spontaneously [2]. However, in some patients, new molluscum lesions can continue to appear intermittently for 3-4 years. Less commonly, medical reports suggest the infection can even last up to 5 years.
One can acquire the viral infection through skin-to-skin contact, sexual contact, and fomite transfer through wet towels, pools, bathtubs, spa rooms, gym floor surfaces, etc [3]. Practising good hand hygiene is imperative in reducing the transfer of infection to self and others.
While molluscum contagiosum can be acquired through skin contact with contaminated surfaces/fomites, it is considered an STD when one contracts it from sexual partners. Typically, an STD-related molluscum contagiosum infection involves the genital areas or the oral region due to skin-to-skin transmission during physical intercourse [4].
If you are unsure whether your symptoms are due to molluscum contagiosum, you can contact your trusted physician for further evaluation. The lesions are characterised by round, discrete, waxy, pale dots with a central umbilication (indentation).
In cases where the diagnosis is unclear, your doctor may further evaluate the lesion with a dermatoscope or surgically remove a small skin sample (biopsy) to confirm the diagnosis.
The Mollusca that remains on the skin has a high risk of being passed on via skin-to-skin contact to people around us and self-inoculate to other parts of our body such as the hands, eyes, face, neck, and genital region.
As sexual activities involve physical intimacy and friction, the viral infection can easily be passed on between sexual couples. Untreated molluscum over the genital region increases a person’s risk of acquiring other types of STDs.
Incessant scratching can be a nuisance and an embarrassment in our daily life. The itch can even affect sleep and daily productivity. Although not life-threatening, molluscum can be uncomfortable and significantly reduce our well-being.
One of the common complications from persisting molluscum lesions is secondary bacterial infection. This is particularly important in patients with a compromised immune system [5], such as HIV patients. Concurrent bacterial and molluscum infections can further complicate health and hamper recovery. In these situations, it is imperative to get molluscum (the primary problem) treated.
This is particularly true in the case of inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, where molluscum can cause a flare-up of existing eczema [6]. Persistent molluscum infection also makes the treatment of eczema more recalcitrant.
Although uncommon, when molluscum infection occurs in a pregnant woman, there is a possibility of vertical transmission of the disease from the mother via the uterus/birth canal to the baby.
Molluscum lesions covering the skin surface, particularly exposed areas such as the face, arms, legs, and hands, can be disfiguring and cause social embarrassment. Even having them over the genital regions can be socially awkward and embarrassing between couples.
Scratching, picking, and inappropriate scooping of the molluscum lesions can lead to scarring of the skin. Spontaneous scarring from molluscum infection is also possible due to chronic inflammation of the skin infection [7]. Skin scarring is irreversible.
It is medically indicated to consider treating molluscum contagiosum if:
Medical treatment of molluscum infection involves the following:
Effective physical removal treatments are offered safely in outpatient settings.
As molluscum contagiosum infection may continue to resurface due to underlying immune system inadequacy to combat the virus, physical removal treatment may be required in repeated sessions to eradicate the infection.
It is not advised to self-attempt to pick or remove the skin lesions as this can increase the risk of scarring and further self-inoculation of the virus to the surrounding skin.
When a person has genital molluscum contagiosum, this is an indication of an increased risk of other sexually transmissible infections. Other STD testing, including HIV testing, should be offered to prevent further complications develop from STDs and to protect loved ones from contracting STDs.
A person who has had molluscum contagiosum and has been treated before is not immunised or protected against future infections. Even with successful clearance of molluscum infection, you are still at risk of developing a new molluscum infection if exposed to a new source of the virus. There is currently no vaccination against molluscum contagiosum.
As long as you have the molluscum bumps, you can spread them to others.
If you are concerned about acquiring molluscum contagiosum infection or exposure to other forms of STDs, you are encouraged to reach out to your trusted physician and take proactive steps to protect yourself and the people around you.
What is chronic pruritus? Pruritus is a medical term for ‘itch’. Itch is an uncomfortable […]
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a medical condition when a man is unable to achieve or […]
In this article, we explore the difficulties encountered in delivering adequate cervical cancer screening and […]
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are an umbrella term for infections that can be acquired through […]
Skin cancer screening is usually performed by your physician using a dermatoscope. Dermatoscope is a medical magnifying glass that allows your physician to visualize the size and shape of the mole that you are concerned of.
Living in a hot humid climate of Singapore, fungal infection of the skin is common. The fungus thrives and favors body areas that are moist and warm such as the armpit, breast folds, groin, buttocks, feet, toes or even nails.
Acne is a skin inflammatory condition that virtually affects every adolescent at some point during their teenage years. However, some adults may remain affected during their twenties or thirties.
Molluscum contagiosum is a common skin infection characterised by round, firm, or hard painless bumps; they can vary in size from a pinhead to a pencil eraser.
HIV infection will cause an infected person to produce antibodies as a response to fight the disease. HIV tests revolve mainly on detecting these antibodies to indicate whether HIV infection is present in the human body.