What Is Molluscum?
Molluscum contagiosum is a common viral skin infection caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV), which leads to the development of small, firm, raised lesions or bumps on the skin. These lesions are typically flesh-colored, dome-shaped, and have a central dimple or core. They can appear anywhere on the body but are most frequently found on the face, neck, armpits, arms, and hands in children, and on the genital area, lower abdomen, and inner thighs in adults. Molluscum contagiosum spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact, contact with contaminated objects, or sexual contact. While the infection is generally benign and self-limiting, resolving within a few months to a couple of years without treatment, it can be more persistent and widespread in individuals with weakened immune systems. Our board-certified Austin, TX, dermatologists at Snyder Dermatology can provide you or your child with a private skin consultation to determine if you have molluscum.
What Causes Molluscum?
Molluscum is a viral infection that can spread easily through skin-on-skin contact or by making contact with objects that have been exposed to the virus. Examples would be shared toys, sports equipment, gym equipment, shared clothing, etc. Both children and adults are equally likely to contract molluscum. Itching, rubbing, scrubbing, and/or shaving the area can cause the infection to worsen and spread. Molluscum can also be transmitted from one partner to the next during sexual activity as it can appear on the genital, inside of the upper thigh, and on the stomach of the infected individual.
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Have questions or want to schedule an appointment? Contact us today to speak with a member of the Snyder Dermatology team. We’re here to address your concerns with compassionate and effective care.
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Everyone here was so helpful and kind. I haven’t had many Dermatologists who took my case seriously and they were so professional and thorough. I would definitely recommend this office to anyone!
-Brian C.
I love Dr. Mary, Parker! She’s always on time or early, extremely friendly, and she put me at ease with her sense of humor and kindness. Visiting her is like hanging out with a friend and she takes really great care of me. She’s fast and efficient and very competent and caring. I highly recommend her!
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Dr. Renee is great. She was very informative and addressed all my concerns with straightforward info and solutions all while respecting my conservative attitude about cosmetic procedures. I was very pleased with my visit and my end result!
-Bonnie S.
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Snyder Dermatology is the premier practice for medical and cosmetic dermatology in Austin, TX. Centrally located, our dynamic team of board certified dermatologists focus on providing patients with the most advanced medical care and treatment options. Our practice is distinguished by our compassion, our desire to fully understand our patients’ needs, and our commitment to being good stewards in the communities where we live and work.
Symptoms of Molluscum
An itchy, red rash is a common sign of molluscum contagiosum. Characteristics like round, red, inflamed bumps, flesh-toned bumps, itching, and white discharge-filled pustules are all signs of molluscum. The rash is commonly located on the face, neck, arms, armpits, hands, upper thighs, stomach, and genitals.
How to Treat Molluscum
When treating your molluscum, talking with your doctor should be the first step before trying any at-home or over-the-counter treatment methods. Not treating your molluscum correctly could actually make your infection worse. At Snyder Dermatology, we treat molluscums using the following methods:
Scraping (curettage): This involves removing the bump off of the skin, but does not cure the infection nor provide a guarantee that the infection won’t spread. Scraping can be painful (especially for young children). We will administer a local topical anesthetic to properly numb the area before the procedure takes place.
Freezing (cryotherapy): Our dermatologist uses liquid nitrogen to freeze each bump of the infection on the skin. It may take several sessions to achieve the desired result.
Cautery: We can use heat therapy to remove the visible part of each bump on the skin, which will also require several treatments for successful removal. This does not prevent new bumps from forming.
Cantharidin is a blistering agent that destroys molluscum when applied topically. It is commonly used when treating molluscum on children as it is a very comfortable solution.
Candida antigen therapy: This is also known as intralesional immunotherapy with Candida antigen. When this is injected into several lesions for a total of three sessions, a skin immune response is induced that results in improvement or clearance of the lesions. This treatment is particularly helpful when treating multiple lesions in the genital or facial regions.
Schedule a Consultation
At Snyder Dermatology, we want to help you treat your viral skin infection with personalized treatment. Molluscum may go away on its own once the virus runs its course in the skin, but it can be painful, become widespread on the body, and can potentially scar your skin. Call today for a personal consultation, and we will do our best to minimize the impact of this infection.