What are molluscum contagiosum? What is the incubation period? How is a diagnosis of molluscum made? How are they transmitted? Why should I consult if they are benign or harmless? How do I prevent the transmission of molluscum? How are molluscum treated? Links and References

The elimination of molluscum is accomplished by the destruction of locally infected skin... this sounds frightening!? The destruction of infected skin sites can be done by freezing the growths with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy). Liquid nitrogen burns the wart lesion and is quite successful in erradicating the molluscum. Another, very effective method of removing molluscum is the technique of "curettage". Curettage involves the use of a small sterile scalpel that is extremely precise in its ability (in trained hands) to remove just the infected skin. Curettage is quick and relatively well-tolerated. Other techniques include destroying the tissue with laser surgery, using a toxic blistering agent (such as podophyllin - made from rain forest beetles), or burning them off with a potent acid (trichloracetic acid). Our physicians are particularly adept at removing the bad and leaving intact the normal tissue . If you believe you might be infected with molluscum, give us a call and book an appointment.

And like all forms of warts, molluscum will disappear spontaneously. Most of these warts will clear spontaneously in 6 to 8 months; however, they may last much longer... and this is a long time to be infectious!

A recent study compared two different methods used in the removal of molluscum contagiosum...

The conclusion was that physical expression methods similar to curettage were as effective as caustic methods (phenol), yet resulted in less scarring

Molluscum contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum