{"id":4152,"date":"2022-05-03T11:47:20","date_gmt":"2022-05-03T10:47:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/guidelines\/molluscumcontagiosum\/"},"modified":"2024-10-11T10:18:27","modified_gmt":"2024-10-11T09:18:27","slug":"molluscumcontagiosum","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/guidelines\/dermatology\/molluscumcontagiosum\/","title":{"rendered":"Molluscum Contagiosum"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Molluscum Contagiosum is a common acquired infection of childhood due to a pox virus. Most infections resolve spontaneously within 6-18 months, though some can last longer. Longer duration is more common in patients with atopic eczema or immunosuppression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Young adults may also develop molluscum contagiosum \u2013 sometimes due to sexual transmission. Widespread lesions can be found in those with HIV or immunosupression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;Lesions may become itchy if there is surrounding eczema or inflamed and crusted&nbsp; and this often heralds resolution.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><div class=\"wpcp-wp-lightbox-host wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon-hover\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/files\/sites\/2\/Dermatology-Molluscum-Contagiosum-2020.jpg\" alt=\"Dermatology Molluscum Contagiosum\" style=\"width:293px;height:auto\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a class=\"wpcp-wp-lightbox-image-link\" data-wpcp-wp-lb-image=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/dermnetnz.org\/#gsc.tab=1&#038;gsc.q=molluscum%20contagiosm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Search DermNet | DermNet (dermnetnz.org)<\/a><\/figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/dermnetnz.org\/#gsc.tab=1&#038;gsc.q=molluscum%20contagiosm\" data-fancybox=\"wpcp-wp-wpcp-wp-1\" class=\"wpcp-lightbox-trigger wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon wpcp-position-top-right wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon-hover wpcp-global-lightbox-icon wpcp-lightbox-icon--global wpcp-lb-icon-style-default\" data-wpcp-lb-icon-source=\"global\" aria-label=\"Open image in lightbox\" data-thumb-src=\"https:\/\/dermnetnz.org\/#gsc.tab=1&amp;gsc.q=molluscum%20contagiosm\" data-wpcp-lb-single=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"wpcp-icon-container\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\"><path d=\"M17.6585 16.025L14.2437 12.6198C15.1716 11.3338 15.6121 9.7613 15.4871 8.1819C15.362 6.60251 14.6795 5.11847 13.5607 3.99351C12.936 3.36206 12.1916 2.86066 11.3709 2.51845C10.5502 2.17623 9.66952 2 8.77995 2C7.89039 2 7.00969 2.17623 6.18899 2.51845C5.36829 2.86066 4.62395 3.36206 3.99919 3.99351C3.36594 4.61649 2.86312 5.35871 2.51992 6.17708C2.17673 6.99545 2 7.87365 2 8.76068C2 9.64772 2.17673 10.5259 2.51992 11.3443C2.86312 12.1627 3.36594 12.9049 3.99919 13.5279C5.11957 14.6901 6.62279 15.4103 8.23285 15.5562C9.84291 15.7022 11.4517 15.2641 12.7639 14.3224L16.1788 17.7275C16.3849 17.9034 16.6473 18 16.9186 18C17.1899 18 17.4523 17.9034 17.6585 17.7275C18.1138 17.16 18.1138 16.5925 17.6585 16.025ZM5.59278 12.0523C5.16258 11.6298 4.82094 11.1263 4.58774 10.5709C4.35455 10.0156 4.23446 9.41951 4.23446 8.81744C4.23446 8.21536 4.35455 7.6193 4.58774 7.06394C4.82094 6.50859 5.16258 6.00503 5.59278 5.58257C6.01644 5.15359 6.52144 4.81292 7.07838 4.58039C7.63532 4.34786 8.23308 4.22811 8.83687 4.22811C9.44066 4.22811 10.0384 4.34786 10.5954 4.58039C11.1523 4.81292 11.6573 5.15359 12.081 5.58257C12.5112 6.00503 12.8528 6.50859 13.086 7.06394C13.3192 7.6193 13.4393 8.21536 13.4393 8.81744C13.4393 9.41951 13.3192 10.0156 13.086 10.5709C12.8528 11.1263 12.5112 11.6298 12.081 12.0523C11.6573 12.4813 11.1523 12.822 10.5954 13.0545C10.0384 13.287 9.44066 13.4068 8.83687 13.4068C8.23308 13.4068 7.63532 13.287 7.07838 13.0545C6.52144 12.822 6.01644 12.4813 5.59278 12.0523Z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>R.C 24-05-24<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs\" data-active-tab=\"0\"><ul class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__nav-links\"><\/ul>\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__nav-link\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title-wrapper\"><a href=\"#\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title\">Referral Guidelines<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Criteria for Referral<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Diagnostic uncertainty.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Immunosuppressed patients with widespread persistent lesions (may present on the face\/perioral skin)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__nav-link\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title-wrapper\"><a href=\"#\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title\">Primary Care Management<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Management<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;In the majority of cases&nbsp;<strong>no treatment is required<\/strong>&nbsp;as spontaneous resolution occurs and parents should be encouraged to allow this to happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Treatment can be painful and\/or increase the chance of scarring and should be reserved for adults, older children and problematic lesions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Avoid sharing of towels and sponges to prevent spread<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Topical antiseptic may minimise secondary infection<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Topical potassium hydroxide 5% is licensed from the age of 2 years. It is available from pharmacies and should be applied to each spot twice daily until these become inflamed (or no more than 14 days).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cryotherapy may be used but is painful and an option of last resort (avoid in young children)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Eczema around molluscum: treat with emollients or mild topical steroid or combination antibiotic and topical steroid cream.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consider topical salicylic acid gel for non-facial lesions (do not use on facial lesions).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide a patient information leaflet \u2013&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bad.org.uk\/shared\/get-file.ashx?id=220&amp;itemtype=document\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">http:\/\/www.bad.org.uk\/shared\/get-file.ashx?id=220&amp;itemtype=document<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__nav-link\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title-wrapper\"><a href=\"#\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title\">Resources and Links<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">For Patients<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>PIL:<\/strong><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bad.org.uk\/shared\/get-file.ashx?id=220&amp;itemtype=document\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">http:\/\/www.bad.org.uk\/shared\/get-file.ashx?id=220&amp;itemtype=document<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">For Health Professionals<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&nbsp;Primary Care Dermatology Society&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/www.pcds.org.uk\/clinical-guidance\/molluscum-contagiosum\" target=\"_blank\">Molluscum-Contagiosum Guidance<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Molluscum Contagiosum is a common acquired infection of childhood due to a pox virus. Most infections resolve spontaneously within 6-18 months, though some can last longer. Longer duration is more common in patients with atopic eczema or immunosuppression. Young adults may also develop molluscum contagiosum &ndash; sometimes due to sexual transmission. Widespread lesions can be<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":3853,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_searchwp_excluded":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[105],"class_list":["post-4152","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-molluscumcontagiosum"],"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"NHS Lothian","author_link":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/author\/nhs-lothian\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":" <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/category\/dermatology\/molluscumcontagiosum\/\" rel=\"tag\">Molluscum Contagiosum<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Molluscum Contagiosum is a common acquired infection of childhood due to a pox virus. Most infections resolve spontaneously within 6-18 months, though some can last longer. Longer duration is more common in patients with atopic eczema or immunosuppression. Young adults may also develop molluscum contagiosum &ndash; sometimes due to sexual transmission. Widespread lesions can be","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4152","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4152"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4152\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3853"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4152"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4152"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}