Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases
Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is a common skin infection that is caused by a virus. Most commonly, it affects children 1 to 10 years and young adults.
Cause
A Poxvirus.
Symptoms
Small, pale, shiny, domed-shaped bumps on the skin, often with a characteristic dimple on the top. The bumps may be flesh-colored, white, translucent, or pink. The bumps are usually painless, but, on rare occasions, can be itchy, red, swollen, and/or sore. In children, the bumps occur on the face, body, arms, or legs. It may last longer and cover more of the body in people with eczema (skin disease) or those who have a weakened immune system.
Spread
From direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. It can also be spread by contact with contaminated objects such as shared clothes, towels, washcloths, gym or pool equipment, and wrestling mats.
Persons with this skin disease can accidentally spread the virus to other parts of their body. Spread can occur by touching or scratching the bumps and then touching another part of the body (autoinoculation).
Although the virus might be spread by sharing swimming pools, baths, saunas, etc., this has not been proven. Researchers who have investigated this idea think it is more likely that the virus is spread by sharing towels and other items around a pool or sauna than through water.
Incubation
Typically, it takes 2 to 7 weeks from when a person is exposed until symptoms develop. However, it could be up to 6 months.
Contagious Period
People can spread the infection until the soft white core comes out of the center of their bump(s). After that, the bumps will begin to heal and the risk of spreading the infections will be very low. In general, contagiousness is low.
Reinfection is possible but not common.
Exclusion
Child Care and School: None. Encourage parents/guardians to cover bumps with clothing when there is a possibility that others will come in contact with the skin. If not covered by clothing, cover with a bandage.
Activities: Exclude any child with bumps that cannot be covered with a watertight bandage from participating in swimming or other contact sports.
Diagnosis
Recommend parents/guardians call their healthcare provider.
Treatment
Treatment options should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Prevention/Control
- Discourage children from touching, picking, or scratching any skin with bumps or blisters.
- Have parents/guardians change bandage daily or when obviously soiled.
- Use disposable medical gloves if bandage is changed at the child care or school.
- Discard used bandages and gloves in the trash.
- Regular and thorough handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water after touching the bumps or discarding bandages.
- School sports with body contact or shared equipment:
- Require bumps be covered with clothing or a watertight bandage.
- DO NOT allow children to share towels, washcloths, uniforms, clothing, or other personal items.
- DO NOT allow sharing of sports equipment or pool equipment.
- Provide individual kick boards and other pool equipment.
- Clean and disinfect any surfaces and equipment thoroughly that may have been contaminated.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.
Information was taken from the CDC information sheet on Molluscum contagiousum.
Molluscum Contagiosum Parent Fact Sheet
Your child may have been exposed to:
Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is a common viral skin infection.
If you think your child has Molluscum Contagiosum:
- Tell your child care provider.
- Need to stay home?
Child Care and School:
No. Cover bumps with clothing if skin-to-skin contact will occur.Activities:
Avoid participating in swimming or contact sports if the bumps cannot be covered with clothing or a watertight bandage.
Symptoms
Your child may have bumps on the face, body, arms, or legs. The bumps are small, pale, shiny, and dome- shaped. The bump color may be flesh, white or pink.
There may be a dimple on the top. The bumps are usually painless. Rarely, the bumps are itchy, red, swollen, and/or sore.
If your child is infected, it may take 2 to 7 weeks for symptoms to develop. However, it could be up to 6 months.
Spread
- By skin-to-skin contact with an infected person.
- By using contaminated towels, washcloths, or equipment.
- By touching or scratching your bumps and then touching another part of your body.
Contagious Period
Until the soft, white core comes out of the center of the bumps. After the bumps begin to heal, the risk of spreading the infection will be very low.
Call your Healthcare Provider
- If anyone in your home has symptoms. Your doctor will decide if treatment is needed.
Prevention
- Avoid touching, picking, or scratching skin with bumps or blisters.
- Cover bumps with clothing or a bandage when others will come in contact with the skin. This will help prevent touching or scratching the bumps and help prevent spread.
- Change bandages daily or when soiled. Discard used bandages in trash.
- Wash hands after touching the bumps or handling bandages.
Contact sports or using shared equipment:
- Avoid sharing towels, wash cloths, uniforms, clothing, or other personal items.
- Avoid using sports or pool equipment that has not been disinfected.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.