Molluscum Contagiosum (MC) is a common skin infection.

Molluscum Contagiosum It results in small, raised, pink wart-like benign lesions called Mollusca. Molluscum Contagiosum These bumps range in size from a pinhead to about 0.3" diameter. Pronounced muh-luhs-Kum kən-tā-jē-ō-səm, the condition is also known as water warts. It's a contagious disease, which is caused by a virus. It can spread from person to person or by skin-to-skin contact or by sharing towels or clothing. Often the only signs are pink-colored bumps, appearing in different parts of the skin. This condition mostly affects children, but it can affect anyone. Most infected people get about 10 to 20 lesions on their skin. Many bumps may appear if a person's immune has become weakened. HIV infected people can have more than 100 bumps. In addition, the lesions may become quite large and prominent. In 2010, around 122 million people worldwide were infected by Molluscum Contagiosum. The condition is more commonly seen in children aged 1 to 10 years. This skin infection has become more common in the U.S. since 1966.

Is this common skin infection harmful?

MC is harmless and the infected person can recover within a few months without any treatment. But, the condition tends to spread around the body, and therefore, it may take 18 months or more for the infection to clear.

What are the causes of Molluscum Contagiosum?

Molluscum Contagiosum is caused by Poxvirus. The virus may spread through Close contacts, such as coming to contact with the skin of the infected person. Touching contaminated objects, such as clothes, towels, toys etc. Sexual contact, including intimate contact and sexual intercourse. Scratching the lesions transports the virus to nearby skin.

Is Molluscum Contagiosum Contagious?

Yes, this common skin infection is contagious. The condition is transmitted by either direct contact with an infected person or through contact with harmful objects, such as clothing, towels, toys, and washcloths. This type of transmission is mostly seen in children. Adults usually acquire Molluscum Contagiosum through sexual contact. Outbreaks have been reported in. Wrestling matches. Swimming pools, saunas, and steam baths. During surgery, by a surgeon with a lesion. Getting tattoos (not very common).

Infection.

Only the epidermis is infected by this virus. The magnitude of damage to the protective outer layer of the skin isn't known. The virus spreads from contact with infected people or contaminated objects. It appears that the initial infection occurs in the basal layer. The period of incubation is normally 2-7 weeks. A latent period of as long as 6 months may follow infection. After the infection occurs, growth in the cells creates lobulated growth of the epidermis that compresses epidermal papilla.

Prevalence.

Occurrence in the United States.

MC is common all over the U.S., accounting for around 1% of all skin diseases diagnosed. In HIV infected patients, the prevalence rate is reported to be 5-18%. If the CD4 cell counts are less than 100 cells/uL, the prevalence of MC can climb as high as 33%.

International occurrence.

Its incidence in most parts of the world is not known, but this common skin infection occurs throughout the world. The condition is more common in tropical regions. In Mali, for example, MC has an incidence of 3.6%, putting it among the most frequent dermatoses occurring in children. In Australia, the prevalence of an antibody was 3% among children aged 6 months to 2 years. However, seropositivity increased with age, and it reached 39% in adults aged 50 years or older. In Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and in some parts of Africa, childhood MC is very common. An estimated 17% of the population in an East African village developed lesions. This outbreak included 52% of children older than 2 years old. Studies blamed the transmission to poor hygiene and warm and humid climates.

Race and Sex.

In the US, 2 to 4 times as many incidences are found in white people than in people of other races. This information came from a longitudinal study conducted between 1977 and 1981. In several studies, it's noted that males are more commonly affected by Molluscum Contagiosum than females. And in England, data from STD clinics showed that more than twice as many males as females had this common skin infection.

Age.

MC is rare in children younger than 1-year of age. Probably because of maternally passed on immunity and an extended incubation period. The highest incidence is seen among children younger than 5 years old. In warm climate countries, the spread of the virus is common among households. In these places, personal hygiene is poor and children dress lightly. They're in close contact with one another. Spread within households is less common in places with cooler climates. Infection isn't common in the later stages. Peak incidence in children at aged 8 years in Japan and 10-12 years in Scotland. We can blame the use of school swimming pools for this infection. Prevalence of MC is increasing in all age groups.