Molluscum Contagiosum (cont.)
Who develops molluscum contagiosum?
Although molluscum contagiosum is
primarily a skin condition of healthy children, it is seen in adults, though
less frequently. Children are most prone to develop molluscum contagiosum
because of immature immune systems. Patients with compromised immune systems,
such as those with HIV infection (AIDS virus), hepatitis, chronic illnesses,
cancer, systemic chemotherapy, immunosuppressive drugs like prednisone, and
those on biologic immune-system-modifying drugs like infliximab (Remicade) or etanercept (Enbrel) may be
more prone to developing molluscum contagiosum. Molluscum is also more common in
wrestlers, people involved in contact sports, children in day care, and
sexually active young adults.
What does molluscum contagiosum look like?
Molluscum contagiosum looks like
very small (often the size of a typical pimple or pinhead), smooth flesh-colored
bumps scattered on an arm or leg. A characteristic feature is a shiny, smooth,
skin-colored bump with a central dell or pinhead-sized opening.
Molluscum bumps are often localized on one body area like the face or trunk,
but they may also spread to multiple body areas. Often, anywhere from one to 30 very small,
slightly smooth bumps are scattered on the skin. Some of the bumps may be
slightly red or have an accompanying dry, itchy light-red rash indicating
inflammation.
Sometimes, squeezing the molluscum bump (like a pimple) causes a small white
core to pop out. The central core is often white or tan and may look just like
a typical whitehead. People may think they just have acne and complain of new
onset small red bumps and "acne" on their skin.
Skin conditions that can
mimic molluscum include
- acne,
- milia (whiteheads),
- warts,
- eczema,
- folliculitis,
- fungal infection like cryptococcus or histoplasma,
- impetigo,
- boils (furuncles),
- atopic dermatitis,
- contact dermatitis,
- bug bites,
- heat rash (miliaria),
- basal cell carcinoma, and
- keratoacanthoma (variant of squamous cell carcinoma).
Next: How is molluscum contagiosum diagnosed? »
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