Molluscum contagiosum is a virus infection that causes pink raised bumps on your skin. And molluscum virus only infects the outer layer of your skin.
Molluscum bump symptoms can lump up anywhere on your body. Adults routinely experience them around their genital, inner thigh and lower abdominal areas.
Molluscum contgiosum caused raised bumps vary in color from white, to pink, to flesh colored. These firm lumps are typically painless, but can be itchy. Molluscum growths are smooth, with a center waxy dimple.
A couple of quick, but vital, facts about molluscum contgiosum:
- it’s contagious ~ need to cover it when around others
- it doesn’t lie dormant like herpes & Epstein Barr ~ when done, its done
- your body doesn’t build an immunity to it ~ repeat infections are possible
As a rule, molluscum hard bumps disappear on their own within a year, without treatment nor scarring.
The causes for spreading molluscum contagiosum are:
- sexual contact
- direct contact with a pink lesion
- in touch with a contaminated object or surface
You can even spread your own bumps by touching an infected area and then touching another part of your body.
Molluscum infections occur more commonly in warm, humid climates. However, the disbursement of moluscum virus by way of swimming pools, baths, hot tubs or saunas is unproven.
For molluscum contagiosum treatment, prescription drugs are available from your health care professional. Additionally, your doctor may opt to treat your pink raised bumps by:
- laser your bump off
- cryotherapy ~ freezing molluscum growth
- curettage ~ remove the fluid inside your lump
If your immune system is normal, then this viral infection will likely clear up on its own. Albeit it may take a bit of time. Also, OTC molluscum treatments are available.
Those with compromised immune systems, i.e. suffering from AIDS or receiving cancer treatment drugs, have a higher risk for contracting molluscum contagiosum. And you may find treatment to be more difficult.
If you have a weakened immune system or are pregnant, then a health care specialist needs to be involved in any raised bump treatment.
Cover all your pink raised bumps with a bandage during your waking hours to:
- protect the spreading of it around your body
- protect others from getting your molluscum skin infection
- keep your from causing a bacterial infection complication
If you notice any unusual skin irritation, rash, bumps or blisters that don’t go away in a week or so, recommend that you have it diagnosed by health care type person.
