WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What is molluscum contagiosum? Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection. It is caused by a pox virus. Molluscum contagiosum is most common in children 1 to 10 years of age. It is more common among children who have trouble fighting infections. This includes children with a weak immune system. How is molluscum contagiosum spread? Molluscum contagiosum is contagious, which means it can be easily spread to others. The infection can be spread when a person touches the skin of an infected person. It can also be spread on items that an infected person has used, such as clothes or washcloths. Your child may spread the infection to other parts of his body. This can happen after he touches an infected area and then touches somewhere else on his body. What are the signs and symptoms of molluscum contagiosum? Your child may not have symptoms for weeks to months after the virus has entered his body. Your child will have small, raised bumps on his skin. The bumps are firm, smooth, and look like warts. They may be white or pink. Each bump may have a small indent in the center. A cheese-like white fluid may drain from the bumps. Bumps may appear on your child's face, arms, legs, abdomen, or chest. They may become itchy, sore, or swollen. How is molluscum contagiosum diagnosed? Your child's healthcare provider will examine your child's skin. He may take a scraping from one of the bumps and look at it under a microscope. How is molluscum contagiosum treated? Molluscum contagiosum may go away without treatment. It may take months to years for the bumps to go away. Your child may need a cream, gel, or pill to help the bumps go away. Your child may need the bumps removed by a laser, freezing them (cryosurgery), or scraping them off. A medicine called liquid nitrogen may be used to freeze the bumps. What should I do to prevent the spread of molluscum contagiosum? - Wash your hands and your child's hands often. Always wash your hands and your child's hands after touching the infected area. Have your child wash his hands after he uses the bathroom. If no water is available, your child can use germ-killing hand lotion or gel to clean his hands. Alcohol-based hand lotion or gel works best.
- Do not let your child share personal items with others. Do not let your child share items that have come in contact with bumps or sores. Examples are toys, clothing, bedding, towels, and washcloths. Ask your child's healthcare provider how to clean or wash these items.
- Do not let your child have close contact with others. Do not let your child take a bath with another child or adult. Do not let your child play contact sports, such as wrestling or football. Have your child sleep in his own bed until the bumps are gone. It is okay for your child to go to school or daycare if his bumps are covered.
- Keep your child's bumps covered. Cover your child's bumps with a bandage as directed. Have your child wear clothing that covers the bandages. Cover your child's bumps with a watertight bandage before he swims in a pool. Your child can sleep with the bumps uncovered.
- Do not let your child scratch or pick his bumps. This may spread the bumps to other parts of his body. It may also increase the risk of spreading the bumps to others.
Where can I find more information? - American Academy of Dermatology
P.O. Box 4014
Schaumburg , IL60168
Phone: 1- 847 - 330-0230
Phone: 1- 866 - 503-7546
Web Address: http://www.aad.org/index.html
When should I contact my child's healthcare provider? - Your child has a fever.
- Your child's bumps become swollen, red, painful, or drain pus.
- You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.
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