Molluscan disease

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection that causes a blister-like skin rash. Molluscum usually goes away on its own, but it can take a long time. There are various treatment options for molluscs.

What are molluscs?

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection that causes a blister-like skin rash. The rash can appear anywhere on the body, but is most common on the torso, face, arms, legs and in and around the genitals. Mollusks are characterized by the fact that the blisters often have a small depression in the middle. Molluscum is most common in children, but can also occur in adults.

What causes molluscs?

Molluscum is caused by a poxvirus called molloscum contagiosum. Poxviruses are a large group of several different viruses. Some groups are more susceptible to molluscs:

Children who spend a lot of time in swimming pools.

People with a reduced immune system, such as those infected with HIV or those who use drugs that suppress the immune system.

Are mollusks contagious?

Molluscs are contagious, but there is a low risk of infection with normal contact. Molluscs are contagious by direct contact. In adults, mollusks can be transmitted sexually. Molluscum can spread around the body of people who have it, by scratching and then touching other areas. Children with mollusks can go to kindergarten or school.

Symptoms of molluscs

Molluscum causes a very typical rash:

• Small blisters/bumps on the skin, with an "immersion" in the middle. They often have the same color as the skin.

• Usually around 3-5 mm in size.

• Usually you get less than 30 pieces in total.

• Itching, tenderness and pain may occur in affected areas.

• A kind of "rice grain" is found inside the blister.

People with HIV can get very atypical mollusks both in size, shape, number and location.

Molluscs children

Molluscum in children is most common between the ages of two and five. Children often get mollusks on the upper body and on the inside of the arms, as well as on the face and legs. Children can continue to attend nursery school and school even if they are infected with mollusks.

Molluscs adults

Adults can also get molluscum contagiosum, although it is not as common as in children. In adults, mollusks can be transmitted through sexual contact, and adults therefore experience outbreaks on the genitals, lower abdomen and thighs to a greater extent.

Treatment of molluscs

Mollusks usually disappear on their own after six to nine months. In some cases, it can take up to two years for them to disappear. As a rule, no treatment of any kind is necessary.

Regardless of which treatment is chosen, new mollusks can appear elsewhere on the body. New molluscs can appear until the body itself is able to create an immune reaction against the poxvirus. Molluscs can leave small scars.

• The doctor can scrape or freeze away mollusks.

• There are creams and liniments that can be tried on mollusks. These must be prescribed by a doctor.