PeDRA

Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance

Molluscum Resources

These resources are jointly provided by Pelthos Therapeutics and the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance and supported by an independent medical education sponsorship provided by Pelthos Therapeutics.

New: Molluscum Minute Series

Pediatrician, Dr. Stephen Stripling shares insights into molluscum in the clinic.

What is Molluscum?

Source: Centers for Disease Control

Molluscum contagiosum is an infection caused by a poxvirus (molluscum contagiosum virus). The result of the infection is usually a benign, mild skin disease characterized by lesions (growths) that may appear anywhere on the body. Within 6-12 months, Molluscum contagiosum typically resolves without scarring but may take as long as 4 years [1].

Visible lesions appear as small, round, pink, umbilicated bumps that may be inflamed and edematous [2]. Infected children typically have 10 to 30 lesions [3], with up to 100 lesions in severe cases [4]. Lesions may appear 1 to 50 days after exposure and spread to other parts of the body due to contact with infected individuals or objects and/or through “autoinoculation” in which the person touches lesions and they spread to other body areas [5].

Prevalence:

  • Molluscum is most common in children [16].
  • 6 million US children aged 0-14 years (5%-11.5% of children in this age group are affected by molluscum [13,14].
  • Molluscum affects up to 5% of the general population [15].

Infectivity:

  • Molluscum contagiosum is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact or contact with infected individuals or contaminated items (i.e., towels, toys, common-use surfaces). MC infections tend to spread at swimming pools, gyms, and group childcare [6,7,8].
  • Efforts to diminish contagiousness are cumbersome for caregivers and patients [1]. Co-bathing with siblings and activities or sports with risk of skin-to-skin contact are discouraged [9].
  • Social activities and school attendance may be adversely affected [9,10].
  • Unsightly, persistent, or numerous lesions carry an emotional burden and psychosocial stigma [4,11,12].

For more information on this disease, please explore the resources below.

Webinars

Watch a Pelthos Therapeutics -sponsored PeDRA miniseries on Molluscum.

Molluscum Publications

View published studies.

Questions

If you have questions, please email us.

Sources:

1. CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Molluscum contagiosum: transmission. 11 May 2015. https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/molluscum-contagiosum/transmission.html

2. Chen X, Anstey AV, Bugert JJ. Molluscum contagiosum virus infection. Lancet Infect Dis. 2013 Oct;13(10):877-88. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s1473-3099(13)70109-9.

3. Butala N, Siegfried E, Weissler A. Molluscum BOTE sign: a predictor of imminent resolution. Pediatrics. 2013;131(5):e1650-e3. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1542/peds.2012-2933.

4. Olsen JR, Gallacher J, Finlay AY, Piguet V, Francis NA. Time to resolution and effect on quality of life of molluscum contagiosum in children in the UK: a prospective community cohort study. Lancet Infect Dis. 2015 Feb;15(2):190-5. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s1473-3099(14)71053-9.

5. American Academy of Pediatrics. Molluscum contagiosum. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/skin/Pages/Molluscum-Contagiosum.aspx Updated November 21, 2015.

6. Berbegal-DeGracia L, Betlloch-Mas I, DeLeon-Marrero FJ, Martinez-Miravete MT, Miralles-Botella J. Neonatal Molluscum contagiosum: five new cases and a literature review. Australas J Dermatol. 2015 May;56(2):e35-8.

7. Braue A, Ross G, Varigos G, Kelly H. Epidemiology and impact of childhood molluscum contagiosum: a case series and critical review of the literature. Pediatr Dermatol. 2005 Jul-Aug;22(4):287-94. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1470.2005.22401.x.

8. Leung AKC, Barankin B, Hon KLE. Molluscum contagiosum: an update. Recent Pat Inflamm Allergy Drug Discov. 2017;11(1):22-31.

9. American Academy of Dermatology. Molluscum Contagiosum. Tips for managing. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/molluscum-contagiosum-tips

10. Syneos Health. Molluscum patient ethnography: patient journey. Report. 2022.

11. Basdag H, Rainer BM, Cohen BA. Molluscum contagiosum: to treat or not to treat? Experience with 170 children in an outpatient clinic setting in the northeastern United States. Pediatr Dermatol. 2015 May-Jun;32(3):353-7.

12. Browning JC, Cartwright M, Thorla I, Jr., Martin SA, Olayinka-Amao O, Maeda-Chubachi T. A patient-centered perspective of molluscum contagiosum as reported by B-SIMPLE4 clinical trial patients and caregivers: global impression of change and exit interview substudy results. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2023 Jan;24(1):119-33.

13. Olsen JR, Gallacher J, Piguet V, Francis NA. Epidemiology of molluscum contagiosum in children: a systematic review. Fam Pract. 2014 Apr;31(2):130-6. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmt075.

14. US Census Bureau. United States population by age and sex. 2022. https://www.census.gov/popclock/data_tables.php?component=pyramid. Accessed 30 October 2023.

15. Hebert AA, Bhatia N, Del Rosso JQ. Molluscum contagiosum: epidemiology, considerations, treatment options, and therapeutic gaps. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2023 Aug;16(8 Suppl 1):S4-S11.

16. Meza-Romero R, Navarrete-Dechent C, Downey C. Molluscum contagiosum: an update and review of new perspectives in etiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:373-81.