You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Please enable scripts and reload this page.
Turn on more accessible mode
Turn off more accessible mode
Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Turn off Animations
Turn on Animations
CTDetailNew
It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again.
Appointment
Find a Condition or Treatment
Find a Doctor
Menu
MAIN
Back to Home
About KKH
Corporate Profile
Newsroom
Procurement
Volunteering at KKH
Calendar of Events
Contact Us
Patient Care
Conditions & Treatments
Areas of Care
Your Clinic Visit
Your Hospital Stay
E-Services
Visitor Information
Research
KK Research Centre
Our Researchers
Clinical Trials
Publications
SingHealth Research
Innovation
About
Collaboration
Technology Transfer
Success Stories
Contact Us
Education & Training
Undergraduate
Residency
Continuing Education
Training & Fellowships
Events & Courses
SingHealth Academy
Careers
Why Choose Us
Career Choices
Job Opportunities
Scholarships & Sponsorships
Contact Us
Giving
Why Give
Get Involved
Your Gift at Work
Be Informed
Make a Gift
Conditions & Treatments
Back to Home
Conditions & Treatment
Find a Doctor
Medicines
Areas of Care
Back to Home
Find a Doctor
Women's Services
Children's Services
Allied Health Specialties
Nursing
Teleconsultation
Support Groups
Patient Education
Patient Rights and Responsibilities
Your Clinic Visit
Back to Home
Before Your Visit
Appointment Day
During Your Visit
Going Home
Your Hospital Stay
Back to Home
Pre-Admission
Admission Day
During Your Stay
Going Home
Ward Virtual Tour
KKH@Home
E-Services
Back to Home
Patient Billing Services
Make Your Payment Online
Make/Change Appointment
Financial Counselling Online
Estimated Bill Calculators
MediSave Maternity Package Claims
Request for Final Bill
Request For Medical Report Online
Health Buddy App
Visitor Information
Back to Home
Directions to KKH
Directions to KKH@Halifax
Directions to KKH Children's Emergency & Urgent O&G Centre
Moving around KKH
Visitor Registration
Amenities & Facilities
Contact Us
Home
to skip to the main content on a page
to skip to the main content on a page
About KKH
Back to Home
Corporate Profile
About KKH
Vision and Mission
Hospital Leadership
Medical Strengths
Awards & Accreditations
Hospital Milestones
Medical Highlights
Clinical Outcomes
Personal Data Protection Act
Social Media @ KKH
Newsroom
Press Releases
News Articles
Special Delivery
Procurement
Volunteering at KKH
Calendar of Events
Contact Us
Appointments
Key Contacts
Medical Report
Compliments
Feedback and Enquiries
Check Fake News
In a Contingency
Patient Care
Back to Home
Conditions & Treatments
Conditions & Treatment
Find a Doctor
Medicines
Areas of Care
Find a Doctor
Women's Services
Children's Services
Allied Health Specialties
Nursing
Teleconsultation
Support Groups
Patient Education
Patient Rights and Responsibilities
Your Clinic Visit
Before Your Visit
Appointment Day
During Your Visit
Going Home
Your Hospital Stay
Pre-Admission
Admission Day
During Your Stay
Going Home
Ward Virtual Tour
KKH@Home
E-Services
Patient Billing Services
Make Your Payment Online
Make/Change Appointment
Financial Counselling Online
Estimated Bill Calculators
MediSave Maternity Package Claims
Request for Final Bill
Request For Medical Report Online
Health Buddy App
Visitor Information
Directions to KKH
Directions to KKH@Halifax
Directions to KKH Children's Emergency & Urgent O&G Centre
Moving around KKH
Visitor Registration
Amenities & Facilities
Contact Us
Research
Back to Home
KK Research Centre
Our Researchers
Clinical Trials
Publications
SingHealth Research
Innovation
Back to Home
About
Collaboration
Technology Transfer
Success Stories
Contact Us
Education & Training
Back to Home
Undergraduate
Residency
Continuing Education
Training & Fellowships
Allied Health Specialties
Medical
Nursing
Events & Courses
SingHealth Academy
Careers
Back to Home
Why Choose Us
Career Choices
Doctors
Nurses
Allied Health Professionals
Management and Administration
Ancillary and Support
Job Opportunities
Scholarships & Sponsorships
Contact Us
Giving
Back to Home
Why Give
Finding a Cure
Advancing Medical Education
Helping Our Patients
Appreciating Your Support
Furthering Donor Impact
Get Involved
Make a Donation
Make an in-kind Donation
Create a Named Fund
Honour a Healthcare Hero
Your Gift at Work
Meet Grateful Patients
Meet Donors Like You
Meet Our Researchers
Be Informed
Make a Gift
Home
>
Patient Care
>
Conditions and Treatment
>
Molluscum Contagiosum
Facebook
WhatsApp
Email Us
share
Font Resize
A-
A
A+
Print
Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum Contagiosum - What it is
Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a common skin infection in children caused by a poxvirus (molluscum contagiosum virus).
It is spread through skin-to-skin contact and can spread between family members. It can spread from one part of the body to another, especially in children with atopic eczema.
MC occurs most often in school-going children.
MC presents as single or multiple, small, pearly, flesh-coloured to pink papules. A small central depression may be seen.
MC may occur on any area of the skin surface, but most common in areas of skin rubbing or moist regions.
Itch, redness and scaling may develop around MC, and may herald spontaneous resolution.
Molluscum Contagiosum - Symptoms
Molluscum Contagiosum - How to prevent?
If your child has molluscum, it is prudent to cover the lesions when your child is in direct bodily contact with other children.
Molluscum Contagiosum - Causes and Risk Factors
Molluscum Contagiosum - Diagnosis
Molluscum Contagiosum - Treatments
Spontaneous clearing of MC often occurs over one to two years and can be left alone, especially in younger children who may not be able to tolerate more aggressive treatments.
Topical therapies that can be applied at home include topical imiquimod cream (Aldara), topical tretinoin cream and topical salicylic acid. These have limited effect on MC but may be attempted for a few months.
More destructive treatment options include curettage and cryotherapy. These options may cause significant pain, and should only be attempted in older children or teenagers. Repeat treatments may be required for total clearance.
Pricking MC lesions with a sterile needle and expressing the contents can be performed by your doctor or clinic nurse. Although this procedure is less painful than curettage and cryotherapy, it can still lead to significant trauma in younger children.
Whatever treatment is rendered, MC lesions may recur after apparent cure.
Cryotherapy
Liquid nitrogen, at a temperature of −196°C, is applied to the lesion, with a cotton-tipped applicator or via a spray gun, for 10 to 20 seconds.
May be painful and therefore may not be suitable for younger patients.
Treatment is best repeated at one to three weeks intervals.
A blister may form at the site of cryotherapy. If the blister is small, it may be left alone. If the blister is large and painful, bring your child back to the clinic. When the blister heals, the lesion may also disappear.
The information above is also available for download in pdf format.
Molluscum Contagiosum - Preparing for surgery
Molluscum Contagiosum - Post-surgery care
Molluscum Contagiosum - Other Information
Overview
Article contributed by
Dermatology Service
,
KK Women's and Children's Hospital
;
Dermatology Service
,
KK Women's and Children's Hospital
The information provided is not intended as medical advice.
Terms of use
. Information provided by
Our Breast Team
Filter:
By designation or sub-specialty
By Designation:
By Sub-Specialty:
TOP
[]
Related Conditions
Related Medicine
Healthy Living Tips
by
View more
Discover articles,videos, and guides afrom Singhealth's resources across the web. These information are collated, making healthy living much easier for everyone.
How To Prevent Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Hives (Urticaria) and Angioedema How to Prevent
×
SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the updates to your email inbox...
Find a Doctor
Condition & Treatment
Home
Appointment
E-services