Molluscum Contagiosum Questions & Answers

Updated: Sep 20, 2020
  • Author: Ashish C Bhatia, MD, FAAD, FACMS; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is molluscum contagiosum?

What are the types of molluscum contagiosum viruses and which type causes most infections?

Who discovered molluscum contagiosum disease?

How is molluscum contagiosum infection transmitted?

Which patient groups are at increased risk for molluscum contagiosum infection?

What is the disease pattern of molluscum contagiosum infection in children?

What is the disease pattern of molluscum contagiosum infection in healthy adults?

What is the disease pattern of molluscum contagiosum infection in immunocompromised patients?

What is the pathogenesis and disease progression of molluscum contagiosum infection?

How is molluscum contagiosum virus classified?

Which types of molluscum contagiosum virus cause infection in humans?

What is the structure of the molluscum contagiosum virus genomes?

How prevalent is molluscum contagiosum infection in the US?

What is the global prevalence of molluscum contagiosum infection?

Does molluscum contagiosum have a racial or sexual predilection?

How does the prevalence of molluscum contagiosum vary among age groups?

What is the prognosis of molluscum contagiosum?

What is the morbidity associated with molluscum contagiosum infection?

What education about molluscum contagiosum should be provided to patients?

Should children with molluscum contagiosum be kept out of school or daycare?

What instructions should a patient be given to prevent transmission of molluscum contagiosum?

Presentation

What are the symptoms of molluscum contagiosum?

Which conditions increase the risk of spreading molluscum contagiosum?

How does comorbid atopic dermatitis affect molluscum contagiosum?

Which factors increase the risk for molluscum contagiosum infection?

What is the duration of molluscum contagiosum infection?

What are the risk factors for molluscum contagiosum in patients with HIV?

How are molluscum contagiosum skin lesions characterized?

Where are molluscum contagiosum skin lesions commonly located?

Which types of skin lesions are comorbidities of molluscum contagiosum?

Which physical findings suggest molluscum contagiosum?

Which comorbidities are associated with disfiguring molluscum contagiosum lesions?

What are the complications of molluscum contagiosum?

DDX

What are the diagnostic considerations if molluscum contagiosum is suspected?

Which conditions should be included in the differential diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum?

Which perforating disorders should be included in the differential diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum?

What conditions should be considered in differential diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum in patients with HIV/AIDS?

What are the differential diagnoses for Molluscum Contagiosum?

Workup

How is molluscum contagiosum diagnosed?

What is the role of squash preparation in the diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum?

Which histologic findings are characteristic of molluscum contagiosum lesions?

Treatment

When is treatment indicated for molluscum contagiosum?

What are the therapeutic options for molluscum contagiosum?

What is the basis for treatment selection in molluscum contagiosum?

When is repeat exam indicated in molluscum contagiosum?

Which activity restrictions are indicated in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum?

How is molluscum contagiosum prevented?

Which topical agents are effective in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum?

Which drugs may be effective for treatment of molluscum contagiosum?

What are the treatment options for facial molluscum contagiosum legions?

What is the role of caustic agents in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum?

How is tretinoin cream used to treat molluscum contagiosum?

How is potassium hydroxide used to treat molluscum contagiosum?

What is the role of cantharidin in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum?

How is salicylic acid used to treat molluscum contagiosum?

How is therapeutic trauma used to treat molluscum contagiosum?

What is the role of immune response stimulation in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum?

What is the role of antiviral therapy in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum?

Medications

What are the goals for treatment of molluscum contagiosum?

Which medications in the drug class Antivirals, Other are used in the treatment of Molluscum Contagiosum?

Which medications in the drug class Topical Skin Products are used in the treatment of Molluscum Contagiosum?

Which medications in the drug class Keratolytic Agents are used in the treatment of Molluscum Contagiosum?