Molluscum

Molluscum are another type of skin growth triggered by a viral infection. They can be viewed as cousins to warts.

Molluscum are almost always seen in children, and those who have atopic dermatitis appear to be more prone to molluscum. Molluscum are tiny round raised skin colored bumps, no more than 1/16 of an inch in diameter. Some have a tiny indentation on the top. They often occur in clusters. Common areas include the trunk, neck, and upper arms and thighs. They sometimes are itchy, and occasionally can become infected. They are contagious (the full name is molluscum contagiosum) and can spread from child-to-child by direct skin-to-skin contact. They are also commonly spread from one part of the body to another, typically by scratching. Molluscum are much less commonly seen in adults, but when they are, they are often found in the genital area, where they represent a sexually transmitted disease.

Treatment is similar to that of warts in many cases, with cryotherapy a common option. Another popular treatment is cantherone, a topical medication that is painted onto the molluscum by the dermatologist and which cases a small blister to develop. When the blister scabs and peels away, the molluscum is often removed. As with warts and other viral skin infections, treatment can be frustratingly ineffective in some cases.