Molluscum contagiosum

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Molluscum contagiosum - close-up

Molluscum contagiosum - close-up of the chest

Molluscum on the chest

Molluscum, microscopic appearance

Molluscum contagiosum on the face

Molluscum contagiosum

Symptoms:

The skin lesion commonly has the following qualities:

Small (2 - 5 millimeter diameter)
Dimple in center
Initially firm, flesh-colored, pearl-like, dome-shaped
Later lesions become softer, gray, and may drain
Central core or plug of white, cheesy or waxy material
Painless
Single or multiple (usually multiple)
Common locations in children: face, trunk, limbs
Common locations in adults: genitals, abdomen, inner thigh

Signs and tests:

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Diagnosis is based on the appearance of the lesion and can be confirmed by a skin biopsy. The health care provider should examine the lesion to rule out other disorders and to determine other underlying disorders.

References:

Cohen J, Powderly WG. Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Elsevier; 2004:2053-2056.

Kauffman CL. Molluscum contagiosum. eMedicine.January 6, 2005.Available online at http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic270.htm Accessed October 31, 2005.