MCV wart lesions are often 2 to 5 mm in diameter, with a shiny surface and central indentation. Occasionally, the growths can cluster with a stalk-like base. The lesion can become visibly inflamed and red and cause itchiness.

Molluscum contagiosum can appear anywhere on the body except the palms and soles. The most common areas of involvement include the trunk, the armpits, the folds of your arms and knees, and groin folds. The mouth is rarely involved.

Sexually transmitted molluscum contagiosum typically involves the groin, genitals, inner thighs, and lower abdomen. In anyone who has a greatly weakened immune system eg. individuals with HIV, the lesions can be large- we call them
giant molluscum.

How are they spread?

MCV is spread by direct skin-to-skin contact and it can be transmitted via by scratching or touching a lesion and having those finger touch a healthy part of your skin spreading the infection there. For example, if the lesions develop on the groin, shaving your pubic hair may spread the virus.

Humans are the only known host for molluscum contagiosum.

Infection can also be spread via bath sponges or towels or through skin contact during participation in contact sports. There has been an association of molluscum contagiosum with swimming pools.

When it occur in the genital areas it can be sexually transmitted or via poor hand hygiene for eg in kids who display terrible hand hygiene practice, they frequently present with anal MCV infection from scratching their bums.

How long can the molluscum virus stay silent for?

MCV can stay silent without emerging in warts for up to one week to six months, but it is typically characterisedas being between two and six weeks.

How to rid of MCV warts?

If you have a good intact immune system, the lesions can clear completely within six to twelve months. In some cases the disease persists for three to five years. And can occasionally leave scars.

Most people often have then removed when they emerge. This can be done by using

1. Chemicals

a. Like podophyllotoxins which is only available in clinic and is not prescribed to patients to use on their own at home.

2. Curette

a. Where we actually use a little circular punch biopsy blade to core out the wart

3. Electrocautery

a. Uses heat to burn the warts through the use of an electrocautery machine

4. Lasers – CO2 laser

a. This is one of our preferred techniques to eliminate MCV warts. Precision is better and scarring is reduced.

What precautions needed to be taken if you have MCV warts?

Avoid touching the lesion and then touching another part of the body without washing your hands to prevent any chance of spreading the infection.

Since molluscum contagiosum is spread by direct contact, a woman with genital lesions at the time of a vaginal delivery could theoretically transmit molluscum to her newborn, as is seen with genital warts. Cases of MCV warts in newborns is in fact rare and this could be because of the possibility that infants are protected by passive maternal antibodies or that the infection has a very long incubation period.