Why is Molluscum contagiosum easily confused with other skin diseases?

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This article is professionally consulted with Specialist level I Le Thi Thu Hang - Dermatologist - Department of medical examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International Hospital.

1. What is Molluscum contagiosum?

Molluscum contagiosum is a skin disease, infection caused by the Molluscum contagiosum virus.
When infected, the area of skin will appear as dome-shaped with red or waxy white on the surface. Molluscum contagiosum does not cause pain to an infected person, but when the patient scrapes, picking lesions can cause local infection.
The most dangerous thing about molluscum contagiosum is that disease can spread to people around by contact with the patient’s skin lesions.

2. Who get molluscum contagiosum?

Molluscum contagiosum is an infectious skin disease that can occur in anyone, any age. Children often get it directly through the skin while adults get it through sexual contact.  
In children, molluscum contagiosum often presents on the face, body, while in adults it is often found in the lower abdomen, inner thighs, pubic bone, genitals. Also can be found in the mouth, tongue.
The remaining cases of molluscum contagiosum usually are people with a weak immune system or simultaneously other infectious diseases.

3. Symptoms of molluscum contagiosum in children

This disease has an incubation period for children from a few weeks to a few months, most children have no symptoms. Some cases show signs of itching, sensitivity and pain. Some other cases have eczema around the affected skin.
Clinical features of molluscum contagiosum are small Mollusca from 1 – 2mm, pearly white, the same color as your skin or pale pink. Mollusca are usually hemispherical, have a smooth surface and a dip in the center.
Mollusca can rise separately or in clusters depending on the case. Unlike other skin diseases, molluscum contagiosum does not cause itching or any accompanying symptoms. Common location: Face, anus – genitals, around eye, armpits,...
In children, papules mainly appear on the face and body, in adults it is often found in the lower abdomen, inner thighs, pubic bone, genitals. It can also be found in the mouth, tongue.

4. Diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum 

When affected by molluscum contagiosum, there will appear small bumps on the easily contagious skin such as face, eyelids, armpits and thighs. Especially, molluscum contagiosum does not appear on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Several lesions are linked together to form a plaque.
Molluscum contagiosum does not cause itching, pain, or swelling. The bumps are smaller than 0.5 cm in size, having round shape with a dip in the center and having a waxy white fluid containing the virus that causes the disease.
If this bump ruptures during contact, making the white waxy fluid flow out that will cause the virus to spread to nearby skin areas and the outside environment.

5. Why is Molluscum contagiosum easily confused with other skin diseases?

Molluscum contagiosum lesions are red and scaly around during the scratching, rubbing process or due to hypersensitive reaction of papules.
Molluscum contagiosum has external signs which are similar to other skin diseases such as: round raised papules, easily spread to surrounding areas in patches.
Therefore, in order to make the most accurate diagnosis in addition to clinical signs, doctors also use tools to observe such as using magnifying glasses, being able to see the dip in the center of the papule. If neccessary, doctors also prescribe patients to do other specific accompanying tests such as: cellular test, anatomical pathology,... if diagnosis is still in doubt or the lesion is widespread, unclear. 

6. Notes when infected with molluscum contagiosum

Notes when infected with molluscum contagiosum in below:

• Have your own personal hygiene items, do not share them with others to avoid infecting people around.
• Clean thoroughly and use medication according to your doctor's instructions.
• Sterilization of baby’s toys and stuff when infected.
• During the period of treatment, do not scratch or pick to prevent secondary infection.
• Avoid sharing tools (example: razor, bathtub). Patients should avoid skin-to-skin contact with people to prevent spread.
• Do not go to public spaces to avoid spreading the virus to other people.
• In addition, supplement with ư a good nutrient regime to enhance the immune system, especially in the time of changing seasons.
• Avoid having sex with someone who has molluscum contagiosum.

Molluscum contagiosum is a benign skin disease, however, patients should not dismiss symptoms and need to follow the doctor’s treatment instructions as given to recover quickly. If disease is not treated properly, bumps can be irritated, inflamed and infected, the papules spread more to the surrounding area. Lesions on the eyelids can also lead to folliculitis and papillary conjunctivitis. The papules that take a long time to heal that easily spread to everyone. Therefore, when seeing signs of molluscum contagiosum, it is necessary to quickly go to a prestigious medical facility for timely examination and treatment.
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