Molluscum contagiosum history and symptoms
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mahshid Mir, M.D. [2]
Overview
The hallmark of molluscum contagiosum is 2 to 5 mm in diameter lesions that spares hand and foot. A positive history of swimming-pool attendance[1], sexual multipartnership [2], and endemic infection are suggestive of molluscum contagiosum. The most common symptoms of molluscum contagiosum include shiny surface skin lesions, maybe associated with erythema around the lesion and pruritis. Less common symptoms of molluscum contagiosum include conjunctivitis, and erythema in all the body.
History
Obtaining the history is the one of the most important aspect of making a diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum. It provides insight into cause, precipitating factors and associated comorbid conditions. Complete history will help determine the correct therapy and helps in determining the prognosis especially in immunocompromised patients which the molluscum contagiosum virus can cause an extended infection. As molluscum contagiosum tend to infect children more likely, patients interview may be hard. In such cases history from the care givers or the family members may need to be obtained. Specific histories about the symptoms (duration, onset, progression), associated symptoms, and sexual habbits have to be obtained. Specific areas of focus when obtaining the history, are outlined below:
- Onset of symptoms (acute or chronic)
- Duration of lesions resolve
- Progression of lesions or spreading the lesions
- Associated symptoms like pruritis, and erythema
- History of atopic dermatitis
- History of sexual relationship especially multi-partner sexual relationship
- Co-morbid conditions like immunodeficiency
- History of contact sport s like swimming or sports that you should be close to others
- History of sharing personal items
- History of drug usage especially immuno-suppresants
Common Symptoms
- Round shiny small (2-6 milimeter) lesions
- Pruritus
- Lesions sometimes may be visibly inflamed
- Lesion destribution:
- Can infect all the body surface except the palms and soles
- Most common infected areas are trunk, axillae, antecubital and popliteal fossae, and crural folds[3]
Less Common Symptoms
- Oral mucosal involvement with the presentation of:
- Dysphagia
- Pain 11552151
- Wide spread big (more than 6 mm) lesions
- Characteristic of immunocompromised patients
References
- ↑ Monteagudo B, Cabanillas M, Acevedo A, de Las Heras C, Pérez-Pérez L, Suárez-Amor O, Ginarte M (2010). "[Molluscum contagiosum: descriptive study]". An Pediatr (Barc) (in Spanish; Castilian). 72 (2): 139–42. doi:10.1016/j.anpedi.2009.09.008. PMID 19880360.
- ↑ Dohil MA, Lin P, Lee J, Lucky AW, Paller AS, Eichenfield LF (2006). "The epidemiology of molluscum contagiosum in children". J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 54 (1): 47–54. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2005.08.035. PMID 16384754.
- ↑ Kalasannavar SB, Sawalgimath MP (2013). "Molluscum contagiosum: A novel Ayurvedic approach". Anc Sci Life. 33 (1): 49–51. doi:10.4103/0257-7941.134606. PMC 4140023. PMID 25161331.