Molluscum Contagiosum Early Stages Pictures - 109 Photos & Images
The molluscum virus enters the body through hair follicles, scratches, and tiny breaks in the skin resulting in localised infection. Molluscum is a skin virus not a blood based virus.
Molluscum begins as tiny pin-sized white/pearly bumps often in clusters of several up to hundreds. They are difficult to see in this initial stage.
After several days they develop into small pearly raised bumps. Over time they grow into 2-5 millimetre pus filled lesions often with a characteristic dimple (or dell) on the surface.
Molluscum lesions which are pierced, scratched or burst run the risk of secondary bacterial wound infection. Piercing and scratching molluscum also contributes to spreading the virus.
Common on the torso, thighs, groin and genital area, molluscum warts can affect all parts of the body and are often associated with dermatitis and eczema skin rash.
Molluscum generally infects children, sexually active adults, and people with immune deficiency.
The molluscum contagiosum virus is transmitted by direct contact with an infected person or indirectly via, for example, toys, towels or clothing. Child care centers and schools as well as public pools are potential places for infection. For mature adolescents and adults sexual contact is also a source - molluscum contagiosum is an STI.
Studies have shown an association between swimming, bath sharing and molluscum contagiosum. Living in close proximity, skin-to-skin contact, sharing towels, clothes, bedding, toys, and living in warmer climates are also associated with higher rates of molluscum infection.
