Scared...

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-11-2004
Scared...
1
Sun, 02-20-2005 - 8:39pm

Hi, ladies. I'm wondering if anyone has ever dealt with Molluscum. It's apparently a known pox-like viral infection in kids, but an STD in adults. My practitioner told me I had them back in Sept. I thought I removed all of them, but found one more last week in my genitilia area. This morning I found one of my back and one on each arm--all pretty small. I'm freaking out.

From what I have read, only kids get them on the arms and other parts of the bodies, and adults get them in the genitals.

Anyone have any advice on this?

TIA,

Sarah

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
In reply to: arthippy
Sun, 02-20-2005 - 9:09pm

Hi Sarah, welcome!

Here is an article about Molluscum contagiosum http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000826.htm The article says in part:

“Causes, incidence, and risk factors
In adults, molluscum is generally seen on the genitals as a sexually-transmitted disease. Because molluscum produces no serious illness and is not of long-term public health significance, it has not been treated as other sexually-transmitted diseases. The importance is significant in the growing population of immunocompromised people with AIDS, who may develop a fulminating (rapidly worsening) case of molluscum contagiosum.

Typically, the lesion of molluscum begins as a small papule which may become raised up to a pearly, flesh-colored nodule. The papule often has a dimple in the center (umbilication). These papules may occur in lines, where the person has scratched. Scratching or other irritation causes the virus to spread in a line or in groups (crops).
The papules are approximately 2 to 5 millimeters in diameter and painless. There is usually no inflammation and subsequently no redness unless the person has been digging or scratching at the lesions. In the mature molluscum, the top of the nodule may be opened with a sterile needle and a small waxy core can be seen and squeezed out of the lesion.

Molluscum contagiosum is a chronic infection and lesions may persist from a few months to a few years. These lesions ultimately disappear without scarring. Early lesions on the genitalia may be mistaken for herpes or warts but, unlike herpes, these lesions are painless.

The virus is contagious through direct contact, as seen in children, but may spread by sexual contact. It can spread on a person from lesions to adjacent normal skin areas.”

“Treatment
In people with normal immune systems, the disorder usually disappears spontaneously over a period of months to years. The lesions may be extensive in people with AIDS or other conditions that affect the immune system. Individual lesions may be removed surgically, by scraping, de-coring, freezing, or through needle electrosurgery. Surgical removal of individual lesions may result in scarring. Medications, such as those used to remove warts, may be helpful in removal of lesions.”

“Expectations (prognosis)
Individual lesions of molluscum contagiosum usually disappear within about 2 to 3 months. Complete disappearance of all lesions generally occurs within about 6 to 18 months. The disorder may persist in immunosuppressed people.”

Since the course of the infection can run 6 to 18 months you might want to contact your doctor again for advice. The lesions can be infectious so you need to use extreme care or abstain while there is an active nodule present. Let us know how you’re doing.

Good luck and hugs,

      Jill