Symptoms of molluscum contagiosum

Molluscum is painless but can be itchy. When the spots appear they look like pimples. Over time they become round, pink or pearl-coloured lumps with a hard core and often a dimple in the centre. The spots are usually very small, but they can be as large as two centimetres.

Treatment of molluscum contagiosum

Molluscum usually heal within months without any treatment, although people with impaired immune systems can have the spots for several years. Molluscum usually heal without leaving a scar, although aggressive treatment and scratching can leave a mark similar to a chickenpox scar.

It is important to see your doctor for correct diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum. While no treatment is usually needed, your doctor might suggest irritating the spots with tape or solutions to cause an immune response or try cryotherapy to freeze them.

Prevention of molluscum contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum can be spread by touching the spots, although it may be months before spots appear after infection. Molluscum can also be spread to different parts of the body or to other people in bath or pool water, on bath toys, towels, face cloths or clothing.

You can help stop molluscum spreading by:

• showering rather than bathing
• washing and drying children's bath toys after use
• not sharing towels, face washers or clothing
• drying the affected area last after showering
• washing hands thoroughly after touching the spots.

Because clothing usually covers the spots, affected people can attend school and work as usual.

Molluscum can also be sexually transmitted. For adults with molluscum on the genital area, transmission to sexual partners can be minimised by using condoms and dental dams, although these don’t completely stop it spreading.

If you or your recent sexual partners become infected with molluscum, it’s a good idea to get tested for other sexually transmitted diseases (STIs).