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Molluscum Contagiosum

By

James G. H. Dinulos

, MD, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

Reviewed/Revised Jun 2023
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Topic Resources

Molluscum contagiosum is characterized by clusters of pink, dome-shaped, smooth, waxy, or pearly and umbilicated papules 2 to 5 mm in diameter caused by molluscum contagiosum virus, a poxvirus. Diagnosis is based on clinical appearance. Treatment is aimed at preventing spread or removing cosmetically unacceptable lesions and can include mechanical methods (eg, curettage, cryosurgery) and topical irritants (eg, cantharidin, tretinoin).

Molluscum contagiosum virus commonly causes a localized chronic infection. Transmission is by direct contact; spread occurs by autoinoculation and via fomites (eg, towels, bath sponges) and bath water. Adults acquire the infection via close skin-to-skin contact with an infected person (eg, sexual contact, wrestling).

Molluscum contagiosum is common among children.

General references

  • 1. Meza-Romero R, Navarrete-Dechent C, Downey C: Molluscum contagiosum: An update and review of new perspectives in etiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 12:373–381, 2019. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S187224

  • 2. Edwards S, Boffa MJ, Janier M, et al: 2020 European guideline on the management of genital molluscum contagiosum. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 35(1):17–26, 2021. doi: 10.1111/jdv.16856

Symptoms and Signs of Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum can appear anywhere on the skin except the palms and soles. Lesions consist of clusters of pink, dome-shaped, smooth, waxy, or pearly and umbilicated papules, usually 2 to 5 mm in diameter, which occur most commonly on the face, trunk, and extremities in children and on the pubis, penis, or vulva in adults. Lesions may grow to 10 to 15 mm in diameter, especially among patients with HIV infection and other immunodeficiencies.

Lesions are usually not pruritic or painful and may be discovered only coincidentally during a physical examination. However, the lesions can become inflamed and itchy as the body fights off the virus.

Manifestations of Molluscum Contagiosum

Diagnosis of Molluscum Contagiosum

Treatment of Molluscum Contagiosum

  • Physical removal: Curettage, cryosurgery, laser therapy, or electrocautery

  • Topical irritants (eg, trichloroacetic acid, cantharidin, tretinoin, tazarotene, podophyllotoxin [podofilox])

  • Sometimes intralesional injection or photodynamic therapy

  • Sometimes combination therapies

Most lesions spontaneously regress in 1 to 2 years, but they can remain for 2 to 3 years.

Treatment of molluscum contagiosum is indicated for cosmetic reasons or for prevention of spread. Options include curettage, cryosurgery, laser therapy, electrocautery, trichloroacetic acid (25 to 40% solution), cantharidin, podophyllotoxin (podofilox) in adults, tretinoin, and tazarotene. Some clinicians use salicylic acid, but others consider it too irritating for many body areas where molluscum occurs. Similar concerns exist with use of potassium hydroxide (KOH). Small studies suggest that ingenol mebutate gel, a cytotoxic agent used to treat actinic keratoses, may be effective (1 Treatment references Molluscum contagiosum is characterized by clusters of pink, dome-shaped, smooth, waxy, or pearly and umbilicated papules 2 to 5 mm in diameter caused by molluscum contagiosum virus, a poxvirus... read more Treatment references ). Molluscum lesions within the orbital rim should be removed via gentle destruction by a skilled clinician. Lesions may be gently squeezed with a forceps to remove the central core. Treatments that cause minimal pain (eg, tretinoin, tazarotene, cantharidin) are used first, especially in children. Imiquimod is usually not recommended.

Curettage or liquid nitrogen can be used 40 to 60 minutes after application of a topical anesthetic such as EMLA (lidocaine/prilocaine) cream or 4% lidocaine cream under an occlusive dressing. EMLA cream must be applied judiciously because it can cause systemic toxicity, especially in children. In adults, curettage is very effective but painful if done without anesthetic.

Cantharidin is safe and effective but can cause blistering. It is applied in 1 small drop directly to the molluscum lesion. Areas that patients (especially children) may rub are covered with a bandage because contact with the fingers should be avoided. Cantharidin should not be applied to the face or near the eyes because blistering is unpredictable. If cantharidin comes into contact with the cornea, it can cause scarring. Cantharidin should be washed off with soap and water in 6 hours. Fewer than 15 lesions should be treated in one session because infection may occur after application of cantharidin. Parents should be warned about blistering if their children are prescribed this irritant.

Dermatologists often use combination therapy such as liquid nitrogen or cantharidin in the office or a retinoid cream at home. This form of therapy is typically successful, but resolution often takes 1 to 2 months in some patients.

Children should not be excluded from school or day care. However, their lesions should be covered to reduce the risk of spread.

Treatment references

  • 1. Shin K, Bae KN, Kim HS, et al: Ingenol mebutate gel for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum: An open-label comparative pilot study. J Am Acad Dermatol pii:S0190-9622(19)32689-1, 2019. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2019.08.081

  • 2. Wells A, Saikaly SK, Schoch JJ: Intralesional immunotherapy for molluscum contagiosum: A review. Dermatol Ther 33(6):e14386, 2020. doi: 10.1111/dth.14386

  • 3. Vora RV, Pilani AP, Kota RK: Extensive giant molluscum contagiosum in a HIV positive patient. J Clin Diagn Res 9(11):WD01-2, 2015. doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2015/15107.6797

Key Points

  • Molluscum contagiosum, caused by a poxvirus, commonly spreads by direct contact (eg, sexual contact, wrestling), fomites, and bath water.

  • Lesions tend to be asymptomatic clusters of 2- to 5-mm diameter papules that are pink, dome-shaped, smooth, waxy, or pearly and umbilicated.

  • Diagnose based on clinical appearance.

  • Treat for cosmetic reasons or prevention of spread.

  • Treatments can include destructive methods (eg, curettage, cryosurgery, laser therapy, electrocautery) or topical irritants (eg, trichloroacetic acid, cantharidin, tretinoin, tazarotene, podophyllotoxin).

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

Drug Name Select Trade
Ycanth
Altinac, Altreno, Atralin, AVITA, Refissa, Renova, Retin-A, Retin-A Micro, Tretin-X, Vesanoid
Tri-Chlor
ARAZLO, Avage, Fabior, TAZORAC
Condylox
Akurza , Aliclen, Bensal HP, Clear Away, Clear Away Liquid, Clear Away One Step, Clear Away Plantar, Clearasil Rapid Rescue Deep Treatment, Compound W, Compound W Total Care Wart & Skin, Corn/Callus Remover, Curad Mediplast, DermacinRx Atrix, DermacinRx Salicate, Dermarest Psoriasis Moisturizer, Dermarest Psoriasis Overnight Treatment, Dermarest Psoriasis Scalp Treatment, Dermarest Psoriasis Shampoo plus Conditioner, Dermarest Psoriasis Skin Treatment, DHS, Dr. Scholl's Callus Removers, Dr. Scholl's Corn Removers, Dr. Scholl's Extra Thick Callus Remover, Dr. Scholl's One Step Callus Remover, Dr. Scholl's One Step Corn Removers, Dr. Scholl's Ultra, Dr.Scholl's Dual Action FREEZE AWAY, Dr.Scholl's Duragel, DuoFilm Wart Remover, Freezone, Gold Bond Psoriasis Relief, Gordofilm , Hydrisalic, Ionil, Ionil Plus, Keralyt, Keralyt 5, Keralyt Scalp Complete, MOSCO Callus & Corn Remover, MOSCO One Step Corn Remover, Neutrogena Acne Wash, Neutrogena T/Sal Scalp, Occlusal-HP, P&S, RE SA , SalAC, Salactic Film , Salacyn, Salex, Salimez, Salimez Forte, Salisol , Salisol Forte , Salitech, Salitech Forte, Salitop , Salkera, Salvax, Salycim, Scalpicin 2 in 1 Anti-Dandruff, Selsun Blue, Thera-Sal , Trans-Ver-Sal, UltraSal-ER, VIRASAL, Wart-Off, XALIX
Picato
Aldara, Zyclara
ANODYNE LPT, Aprizio Pak II, DermacinRx Empricaine, DermacinRx Prizopak, Dolotranz, EMLA, Empricaine-II, EmReal, IV Novice Pack, Leva Set, Lido-Prilo Caine , Lidotor, LiProZonePak, LIVIXIL Pak, LP Lite Pak, Medolor Pak with Tegaderm Dressing, Microvix LP, Nuvakaan, Nuvakaan-II, Oraqix , Port-Prep, PRILOHEAL PLUS 30, Prilovix, Prilovix Lite, Prilovix Lite Plus, Prilovix Plus, Prilovix Ultralite, Prilovix Ultralite Plus, Prilovixil, REAL HEAL-I, Relador, Soluline, SOLUPICC, VallaDerm-90
7T Lido, Akten , ALOCANE, ANASTIA, AneCream, Anestacon, Aspercreme with Lidocaine, AsperFlex, Astero , BenGay, Blue Tube, Blue-Emu, CidalEaze, DermacinRx Lidocan III, DermacinRx Lidogel, DermacinRx Lidorex, DERMALID, Dologesic, Ela-Max, GEN7T, Glydo, Gold Bond, LidaFlex, LidaMantle, Lido King Maximum Strength, Lidocan, Lidocare, Lidoderm, LidoDose, LidoDose Pediatric, Lidofore, LidoHeal-90, LIDO-K , LidoLite, Lidomar , Lidomark, LidoPure, LidoReal-30, LidoRx, Lidosense 4 , Lidosense 5, Lidosol, Lidosol-50, LIDO-SORB, Lidotral, Lidovix L, LIDOZION, Lidozo, Lidtopic, Lidtopic Max, LMX 4, LMX 4 with Tegaderm, LMX 5, LTA, Lubricaine, Lubricaine For Her, Lydexa, MENTHO-CAINE , Moxicaine, Numbonex, Professional DNA Collection Kit, Proxivol, ReadySharp Lidocaine, RectaSmoothe, RectiCare, Regenecare HA, Salonpas Lidocaine, Senatec, Solarcaine, SOLUPAK, SUN BURNT PLUS, Topicaine, Tranzarel, VacuStim Silver, Xyliderm, Xylocaine, Xylocaine Dental, Xylocaine in Dextrose, Xylocaine MPF, Xylocaine Topical, Xylocaine Topical Jelly, Xylocaine Topical Solution, Xylocaine Viscous, Zilactin-L, ZiloVal, Zingo, Zionodi, ZTlido
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