Molluscum Question

About 4 months ago I noticed a few  bumps on the shaft of my penis. They appear to be molluscum because:
- They didn't move, grow, change or multiply in any way for about 6 weeks before I tried popping them.
- When I did "pop" them, they did infact have a hard, white, waxy ball in the center.
- When I did remove the waxy center those bumps vanished, but only then did new ones appear.

I am 99% sure it is molluscum based on research and dermatology photos compared to every other virus or condition which affects the penis but I have a few questions.

I was not sexually active for quite some time before they appeared. I have never in my life not worn a condom. But I practically live in a gym and handle money daily... is it possible for molluscum to spread from say, touching gym equipment, then touching my penis immediately after?

I've heard molluscum is common in children, and in the genital region of adults. Is it something about the skin down there, or children's skin, that make it susceptible? Because I didn't get them on my hands and that'd be the first place that touched anything.

It looks juuuuuuust like these pics:
http://www.urotip.com.tr/images/molluscum3.jpg
http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/Hardin/md/pictures22/dermnet/molluscum_contagiosum_43.jpg
http://www.visualdxhealth.com/images/dx/webAdult/molluscumContagiosum_32439_lg.jpg

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

'Molluscum contagiosum lesions are flesh-colored, dome-shaped, and pearly in appearance. They are often 1-5 millimeters in diameter, with a dimpled center. They are generally not painful, but they may itch or become irritated. Picking or scratching the bumps may lead to further infection or scarring. In about 10% of the cases, eczema develops around the lesions. They may occasionally be complicated by secondary bacterial infections.

The central waxy core contains the virus. In a process called autoinoculation, the virus may spread to neighboring skin areas. Children are particularly susceptible to auto-inoculation, and may have widespread clusters of lesions.

The time from infection to the appearance of lesions ranges from 2 week to 6 months, with an average incubation period of 6 weeks. Diagnosis is made on the clinical appearance; the virus cannot routinely be cultured.

In adults, molluscum infections are often sexually transmitted and usually affect the genitals, lower abdomen, buttocks, and inner thighs. In rare cases, molluscum infections are also found on the lips, mouth, and eyelids.'

You could read more about the condition at the following links -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molluscum_contagiosum

and

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/molluscum-contagiosum/DS00672

'Molluscum contagiosum spreads through direct person-to-person contact and through contact with contaminated objects. Because it spreads easily, doctors often recommend medical treatment, especially for adults.'

There are a few treatment options that can be done at home. Betadine surgical scrub can be gently scrubbed on the infected area for 5 minutes daily until the lesions resolve (this is not recommended for those allergic to iodine or betadine).
For mild cases, over-the-counter wart medicines, such as salicylic acid may shorten infection duration. Daily topical application of tretinoin cream ("Retin-A 0.025%") may also trigger resolution. These treatments require several months for the infection to clear, and are often associated with intense inflammation and possibly discomfort.

The infection can also be cleared without medicine if there are only a few lesions. First, the affected skin area should be cleaned with an alcohol swab. Next, a sterile needle is used to cut across the head of the lesion, through the central dimple. The contents of the papule are removed with another alcohol swab. This procedure is repeated for each lesion (and is therefore unreasonable for a large infection). With this method, the lesions will heal in two to three days.


Let us know if you need any other information and post us about how you are doing.

Regards.