Molluscum contagiosum history and symptoms
|
Molluscum contagiosum Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mahshid Mir, M.D. [2]
Overview
The hallmark of molluscum contagiosum is 2 to 5 mm in diameter lesions that spares hand and foot. A positive history of swimming-pool attendance[1], sexual multipartnership [2], and endemic infection are suggestive of molluscum contagiosum. The most common symptoms of molluscum contagiosum include shiny surface skin lesions, maybe associated with erythema around the lesion and pruritis. Less common symptoms of molluscum contagiosum include conjunctivitis, and erythema in all the body.
History
Molluscum contagiosum is a clinical diagnosis. Since molluscum contagiosum is more common in children, a history is elicited from parents, caregivers, or other family members. Specific areas of focus when obtaining the history include:
- Onset of symptoms (acute or chronic)
- Duration to lesion resolution
- Progression or spread of lesions
- Associated symptoms such as pruritis and erythema
- History of atopic dermatitis
- History of sexual activity especially multi-partner sexual relationship (in older patients)
- Co-morbid conditions like immunodeficiency
- History of using a public swimming pool
- History of sharing sports equipment
- History of sharing personal items
- History of immunosuppresant use
Common Symptoms
- Round, shiny, small (2-6 mm) lesions
- Pruritus
- Ocular (eye) pain
- Skin aesthesia[3]
- Lesions sometimes may be visibly inflamed
- Lesion distribution:
- Can infect all the body surface except the palms and soles
- Most common infected areas are trunk, axillae, antecubital and popliteal fossa, and crural folds[4]
Less Common Symptoms
- Oral mucosal involvement with the presentation of:
- Wide spread, large (>6 mm) lesions
- Characteristic of immunocompromised patients
References
- ↑ Monteagudo B, Cabanillas M, Acevedo A, de Las Heras C, Pérez-Pérez L, Suárez-Amor O, Ginarte M (2010). "[Molluscum contagiosum: descriptive study]". An Pediatr (Barc) (in Spanish; Castilian). 72 (2): 139–42. doi:10.1016/j.anpedi.2009.09.008. PMID 19880360.
- ↑ Dohil MA, Lin P, Lee J, Lucky AW, Paller AS, Eichenfield LF (2006). "The epidemiology of molluscum contagiosum in children". J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 54 (1): 47–54. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2005.08.035. PMID 16384754.
- ↑ CURTIN BJ, THEODORE FH (1955). "Ocular molluscum contagiosum". Am. J. Ophthalmol. 39 (3): 302–7. PMID 14350041.
- ↑ Kalasannavar SB, Sawalgimath MP (2013). "Molluscum contagiosum: A novel Ayurvedic approach". Anc Sci Life. 33 (1): 49–51. doi:10.4103/0257-7941.134606. PMC 4140023. PMID 25161331.
- ↑ Fornatora ML, Reich RF, Gray RG, Freedman PD (2001). "Intraoral molluscum contagiosum: a report of a case and a review of the literature". Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 92 (3): 318–20. doi:10.1067/moe.2001.117299. PMID 11552151.