What is molluscum body?

What is molluscum body?

Molluscum contagiosum is a common and contagious viral skin infection. It causes raised, pearl-like nodules or papules on the skin. These papules are called molluscum bodies, Mollusca, or condyloma subcutaneum. The condition is known as molluscipoxvirus.

What molluscum means?

Medical Definition of molluscum : any of several skin diseases marked by soft pulpy nodules especially : molluscum contagiosum.

What is molluscum and what causes it?

Molluscum contagiosum is an infection caused by a poxvirus (molluscum contagiosum virus). The result of the infection is usually a benign, mild skin disease characterized by lesions (growths) that may appear anywhere on the body.

How do you describe molluscum contagiosum?

Molluscum contagiosum (mo-LUS-kum kun-tay-jee-OH-sum) is a relatively common viral infection of the skin that results in round, firm, painless bumps ranging in size from a pinhead to a pencil eraser. If the bumps are scratched or injured, the infection can spread to surrounding skin.

Why do adults get molluscum?

Teens and adults can also get molluscum contagiosum. Usually, they get it during sexual contact. When this happens, molluscum is considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI). When someone gets molluscum through sexual contact, bumps usually develop on (and around) the genitals.

Who discovered molluscum?

First described in 1817. Viral origin discovered by Juliusburg in 1905. Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV), genus Molluscipoxvirus, a poxvirus.

How would you describe molluscum contagiosum on a physical exam?

Lesions are discrete, nontender, flesh-colored, dome-shaped papules (bumps, dimples) that show a central umbilication (which is more apparent when the lesion is frosted with liquid nitrogen).

Does molluscum always spread?

The molluscum contagiosum virus remains in the top layer of skin (epidermis) and does not circulate throughout the body; therefore, it cannot spread through coughing or sneezing. Since the virus lives only in the top layer of skin, once the lesions are gone the virus is gone and you cannot spread it to others.

Why is molluscum called water warts?

Sometimes they are called “water warts” because they are spread in the pool and shared tubs as well. The bumps are usually painless but may be itchy, cosmetically undesirable and can last for up to 2 years. After contact with the virus that causes them, MC may incubate for 8 weeks before appearing on the skin.

What virus causes molluscum?

Molluscum are a result of infection from the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) while warts result from an infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV).

How contagious is molluscum contagiosum?

Molluscum contagiosum is contagious until all of the skin lesions have disappeared. Because the virus affects only the top layer of the skin, once the lesions have gone away completely, it is not possible to transmit the virus to others.

How long does molluscum last?

The symptoms of molluscum contagiosum can disappear on its own if the immune system of the affected person is healthy and strong. It may last up to 6 months to one year without leaving a scar. Treatment is not required in many cases until it affects the quality of life.