Molluscum Contagiosum (Adult)
Molluscum contagiosum is a fairly common skin infection caused by a poxvirus. It causes raised, flesh-colored bumps on the skin. The center of each bump is indented.
The bumps are sometimes itchy, but usually not painful. They may spread or form lines when scratched. Almost any area of skin can be affected. Common sites include the face, neck, armpit, arms, hands, and genitals. The bumps are seldom found on palms and soles.
Molluscum contagiosum is also called water warts. The bumps are called "mollusca." It's benign (not cancer).
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It spreads easily from one part of the body to another.
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Direct person-to-person physical contact occurs through sexual contact and during sports like wrestling, basketball, and football.
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Indirect contact often happens through sharing clothing, towels, or objects such as sports gear, toys, razors, bathing sponges, and tattoo supplies.
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Because the virus lives only in the top layer of skin, once the bumps are gone, the virus is gone, and you cannot spread it to others.
Because it's caused by a virus, antibiotics are not used for treatment. In healthy people, the infection usually goes away on its own within 6 to 18 months, but can last up to 4 years. The infection may also continue in people who have a weak immune system. This includes people who have diabetes, cancer, or HIV.
You can have the bumps removed if they bother you. Treatment may include freezing the bumps with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy), curettage (piercing the core and scraping out the bump), and laser therapy. Or, it may be treated with an acid, blistering solution, or a cream that affects the immune system.
Home care
Your health care provider can prescribe a medicine to help the bumps heal. Follow the provider’s instructions for using these medicines.
The following are general care guidelines:
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Don't scratch the rash. Scratching and picking at the bumps spreads the infection to other parts of the body. You could also cause a bacterial infection. If needed, cover affected skin with bandages to help prevent scratching.
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Wash your hands before and after caring for the rash.
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Don't share towels, washcloths, or clothing, hair brushes, wrist watches, and bar soap with anyone.
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Don't shave or have electrolysis in any areas where the bumps are present.
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Don't have sex if the bumps are in the genital area.
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Don't try to remove the bumps on your own or squeeze out the fluid inside as you risk spreading the virus to other parts of your body.
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Use two towels when drying off. Use one clean towel to dry the skin where the molluscum is, and use the other towel to dry the skin where there is no molluscum.
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If participating in contact sports or other activity that involves skin-to-skin contact, cover all affected skin with clothing or bandages. Avoid sharing your sports gear, such as caps, pads, helmets, and baseball gloves.
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If swimming in public pools, cover any visible lesions with watertight bandages and dispose of all used bandages at home. Don't share your googles, bathing suits, pool toys, or equipment.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises against molluscum treatments you can buy online without a prescription. Some of these may not work and may even be harmful.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your health care provider, or as advised.
When to seek medical advice
Call your health care provider or seek medical care right away if:
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You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised.
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You have signs of infection, such as warmth, pain, redness, or oozing pus or foul-smelling discharge.
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Bumps appear on a new area of the body or seem to be spreading rapidly.