Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection that causes a benign skin rash that resembles a pimple or wart-like bump. They usually are soft and smooth with an indented center. Most commonly seen in children between 1 and 12 years old, molluscum can spread locally fairly rapidly.
Molluscum lesions usually last 2-3 months, but because it spreads easily, a child could continue to have it for 1-2 years. In our office in Baton Rouge, our pediatricians can treat molluscum with a topical medicine that causes the lesion to blister and fall off. Other treatments include using some acne medicines.
Molluscum usually does not cause long-term problems, but if your child has something resembling molluscum and you want to verify this or treat what you see, please give us a call for an appointment at Associates in Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine.