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Molluscum contagiosum - Management
Additional information
- The differential diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum includes [Smolinski and Yan, 2005; BASHH, 2008]:
- Warts — often have a rough surface, with no central umbilication. See the CKS topics on Warts - anogenital and Warts and verrucae.
- Milia — white keratinous cysts on the face, most frequently around the eyes.
- Lichen planus (uncommon) — an inflammatory pruritic disease characterized by distinctive, usually purplish, papules.
- Syringomata (uncommon) — small pale papules, usually around the eyes.
- Cutaneous cryptococcosis — umbilicated papules; not uncommon on the face, found in people with immunosuppression (especially HIV).
- Up to a third of children may have symptoms or rashes complicating the diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum [Jones and Kress, 2007].
- Inflammation around lesions normally occurs prior to resolution, and is a normal immune response [Lowy, 1999]. It is important to differentiate inflammation from eczema or a bacterial skin infection, both of which may require treatment [Nelson and Morrell, 2007].
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