Molluscum Contagiosum

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Molluscum (mo-LUS-kum) contagiosum (con-tay-jee-OH-sum) is a skin disease that happens because of a viral infection. Both children and adults may get this disease. It can appear almost anywhere on the body. Molluscum contagiosum often causes bumps or sores on the face, chest, arms, and legs. Adults may get this disease from having sexual intercourse (sex) with an infected person. When this happens, the skin infection is usually found in the pubic area and on the genitals (sex organs). Molluscum contagiosum is contagious (kon-TAY-jus), which means it can be easily spread to others. Treatment may include using medicine, or caregivers may remove the bumps by surgery or freezing (cryosurgery).

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a current list of your medicines: Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists. Use vitamins, herbs, or food supplements only as directed.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him about any medicine allergies, and if you want to quit taking or change your medicine.
  
  
• Cream medicine: You may be given special cream to put on the bumps to help them go away. Your caregiver will tell you how long you need to use it. This cream may help stop the bumps from spreading on your body.

Home care:

• Avoid spreading the illness: Do not scratch the bumps. This may spread the infection to other parts of the body or to other people. Do not have close contact with other people, including sexual intercourse, until the bumps are all gone. Keep skin areas that have bumps covered with clothing.
  
  
• Wash your hands: Always wash you and your child's hands after caring for or touching the infected area. Hand washing with soap and warm water should be done often. You should also wash your hands before touching food, your eyes, or other people. If no water is available, use germ-killing hand lotion or gel to clean your hands. Alcohol-based hand lotion or gel works best. Germ-killing hand cleaners may not kill all the germs on your hands, so wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible after using it.
  
  
• Around the house: Children should not bathe together or share towels if one of them has the disease. Do not share or reuse items that have come in contact with molluscum contagiosum bumps or sores. Examples may include bedding, washcloths, or eating utensils. These items may be used again after they have been cleaned with hot water and soap. You can clean these items by hand, or by using a dishwasher or washing machine.

What should I do after cryosurgery?

Cryosurgery is freezing treatment used to remove the bumps. After this treatment, blisters may form. Cover the blisters with a clean bandage. The tops of the blisters will come off by themselves in 7 to 14 days. Do not scrub or pick at the blisters.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever.
  
  
• You have swelling, redness, pain, tenderness, or warmth in the areas of the bumps.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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