Molluscum

Molluscum are small, tan, virally-induced bumps with an central tiny dimple that develop on the skin, often in children, but occasionally in adults. Microscopicall,y they are a little “cup” of skin filled with viral particles. As these viral particles shed from the lesion, they can infect the surrounding skin, as well as transfer to other people. Although molluscum eventually will resolve on their own, since they can persist for months to years in a patient, and can be spread, they are often treated. There are many treatment options for molluscum, including destruction with “blister beetle” juice or liquid nitrogen, scraping each lesion off with a specialized instrument, or applying a medication to help the body’s immune system clear the virus. Often a combination of these methods is used.