Molluscum or Folliculitis? I need your opinion!

[STNKMSTRFLX]

About 3 to 4 months ago I noticed tiny pin hole sized bumps an inch under my belly button. They looked like white tiny pimples but when I squeezed them they didn't pop. I kind of picked one of them off and it was a firm little "ball" that was off white in color and the spot bled where I picked it. A couple of days later the spot healed and disappeared. I was immediately concerned because I thought that they were Mollusum warts. I recently started working out at the gym and doing a lot of cardio. I sweat a lot and thought that it was just folliculitis since I had that before. They do not have an umbilication that the pictures on the web sites have (I've used a mangnifying glass). Nor do they look like any picture of molluscum that I've seen out there on the web. I noticed about 3 of them in that area under my navle and as I looked deeper into my pubic hair I noticed about 5 to 6 more of them. They are so tiny that you can barely see them, unless you look into the light. I left a few untouched and immediately made an appointment with my family doctor. Upon close inspection with a light, my doctor said that it was folliculitis. He said if they come back and I wanted to, he would send me to a derm, but he said that "I'll do it for your peace of mind because I can see that you're upset".  He said that they didn't look like anything sexually transmitted.  I was SO relieved for I couldn't eat or sleep thinking that I had something.  He told me to wash the area with an atibacterial soap and gave me a perscription strength hydrocortizon (sorry for the spelling) cream to apply to the area.  The spots cleared up and I was happy.  About a couple months later I noticed a few of them came back in the same area. This time there were less of them (about 5 to 6 total) and I seen some in my pubic hair as well.  I immediately made another appointment to see the doctor again.  Upon close inspection, he said that they still looked like folliculitis, but said that he would send me to a derm to look at it because of my concern.  I made an appointment with a derm a week later. I was a little upset because the derm immediately started to assume they were Molluscum before he even looked at it. He was a little weird and I got an uneazy feeling from him. He said that they were Molluscum but I told him that they didn't look anything like the pictures that I've seen. He said that's because those pictures are "text book" and "nothing is text book". My heart sank but I immediately realized that I was caught between 2 diagnosis'. My family doctor said that they were folliculitis (not once but twice) but the derm is saying that they are molluscum. I told him that by simply visually inspecting them that he couldn't be 100% sure so I asked him for a biopsy of them and he said ok. He took a tool and "cut" 2 of them off. I get the results back in 3 days and I can't eat or sleep over this. What do you think this is doc? Thanks so much!

[Christopher207]

A related discussion, Molluscum was started.

[jannov]

Dear,
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[fewquestions2003]

Hey guys thanks for your sharing here in this forum. I found a cluster of three little warts below my navel in July and did the usual picking-at-them like some of you. My doctor identified them as molluscum and froze them off.

A few weeks later I found three new ones on my right thigh and two on the left. They were frozen off a month ago BUT HAVE LEFT SIZABLE RED SCARS (and I guess I am just impatient waiting for them to fade away). Still, this is more embarassing than the original problem! Especially if I learn from this site that the mollusks are not infectious and go away in 6-9 months!

On that note, I also can't seem to figure out why this site keeps shrugging off the infectious nature of HPV and Molluscum. I am a straight, 27-year old, very sexually active who now regrets his playboy ways and assume these are a result of an STD...as I now start a new, serious, monogamous relationship I have no idea how to communicate the scars left on my thighs..any ideas on creams, cosmetic lasers,etc? Anyway, thanks for sharing your concerns and problems here..look forward to hearing from you.

[derma52]

Hi,

To answer a few questions.  I am not sure how I got molluscum, but I am angry about having it.  I noticed these unusual pimples at the end of May. When I saw my dermatologist 2 weeks later, she told me they were molluscum.  She froze 3 off my inner thigh.
The area is still pinkish looking.  Then I found 2 in my pubic area, and say my GYN.  She recommended Aldara I used it for about 2 months.  Which did seem to work, however, I shaved my bikini area before I saw my dr, and about 5 days later, I had about 12 more.  I used up the Aldara quickly because I needed 2 of their tiny packets to treat them at times.  I got a second prescription of Aldara.  They really appeared overnight.  I felt sick every time I found a new one. I had many plans for the summer, but didn't do any of them. I was afraid of exposing anyone to them.  Then my ex boyfriend called and asked if I would go away on a brief vacation with him.  I had to tell him no, and when he asked why I had to tell him.  I had been with him 5 months before the break out.  He didn't get them, or have them. I found new ones almost everyday for the past 5 months,  some on my waistline and below it, also on my legs again. Then they spread to my backside.  I went back to the GYN this month, and she used acid on 3 that would not go away.  I went back 2 weeks later, and she put acid on about 10 more that would not go away. Now it looks as if they are slowing down.  The acid really burns for about 5-10 minutes after it is applied, and I do have marks from that procedure too.  The Aldara didn't leave marks, but the skin does not looks smooth where I used it.  

My GYN says molluscum is widespread...she sees a lot of it, esp from college kids.  She has spoken to several dermatologists and they tell her there is nothing that can be done about molluscum than what I already have had done.  I FEEL MOLLUSCUM are a problem, and there should be material available at GYNs, dermatologists, pediatric offices, and college clinics.  I have not had sex in months, and have been told not to until I am free of molluscum. I would never intentionally give this to anyway.  I hope this helps.

I also wrote to the man who wrote the first message asking him if he got any info, but he never replied.  

[SoNervous]

Hey Guys, I have the EXACT same thing that you are describing.  I have been searching all over the internet trying to get some information and this is the first site i have come across describing this condition.  I thought it was Warts but it just doesn't fit the descripton.  

What did you guys find out from your doctors?  An update would be GREATLY appreciated.

[jules2003]

I have been following this thread with interest. I am very curious to know what the biopsy results are. My husband and I are experiencing identical lesions as to what have been described here. I also wanted to let other readers here know that there really is life after aquiring a viral STD. I know that the stigma is overwhelming. I myself am a 35 year old, married professional. I have both HSV and HPV. The HPV I dealt with as a newly wed. In the 13 years I have been married, my husband has never had a noticable wart, nor have I after treatment. We do not know where the virus came from. He describes a "cauliflower like" bump on his penis from when he was a kid- prior to any sexual activity. After a few years "it went away on its own". Perhaps he has had the virus since childhood, which explains his resistance. Perhaps I carried it from a previous partner. Who knows. After 10 years of marriage I was diagnosed with genital HSV type 1. It was a classic initial breakout. My pelvic lymph nodes were swollen and it felt like someone had taken a razor blade to my bottom. The anti-viral valtrex works well for me. After 3 years, my breakouts are significantly less in both frequency and severity. I know I did nothing outside my marriage to acquire it. My husband swears up and down he did not either. I am a registered nurse. I know the likelihood of getting the virus from an inanimate object is remote. I am not stupid or naive but I am inclined to believe my husband. In the three years since my diagnosis, he has shown no sign of infection. Of course, it nearly destroyed us initially. Obviously, I was devastated at both having the virus and at the possibility of  having an unfaithful husband. But no matter what way I thought it through, nothing added up. Did I have it all along? Did he? Why such a bad outbreak then after so many years? Why does he not seem to have it? Was he unfaithful? Where did it come from then? Your mind can ramble on and on with so many different scenerios and explanations, but the long and short of it is- you will never really know for sure. Never. So make peace with it as best you can. Having it really sucks, yes. But you do have to move on. When people talk and joke about how horrible it would be to have an STD virus, keep in mind that 8 out of 10 adults in North America have antibodies to HSV. That means that 8 out of 10 people have been exposed to the virus. Keep in mind that HPV is the most rapidly growing sexually transmitted disease out there because it can lie latent for so long. Chances are, the person who openly shames those who carry it, has, at one time or another, been exposed to one of these viruses. Don't drop your head. It is exactly this type of social shame that promotes the fear of STDs. In turn, the fear of being told you have an STD prevents people from going to the doctor to get the proper diagnosis, treatment, and instructions. Denial goes a long long way. In the meantime, others are silently exposed and infected because we are too afraid to do what we need to do. I'll get off my soap box now, but here is some good concrete medical advice. If you carry one of these viruses- GIRLS- have an ANNUAL PAP SMEAR. Be screened for cervical cancer. You are at higher risk. BOYS and GIRLS- insist on condoms. You'll sleep better at night. Be liberal with the K-Y PLUS- the stuff with the spermicide. Spermicide has been shown to kill both sperm and viruses and it might help protect you where the condom can't. It is not a 100% sure thing, but it may also help you sleep better at night. Wash your genitals well- with SOAP- after intimacy- as soon as possible. Stay healthy- keep your immunity up. Don't invite infection by messing around when you have obvious breaks in your skin- ie. razor burns, nicks, cuts. I suggest you TRIM pubic hair rather than SHAVE it. Be smart, stay informed, INFORM YOUR PARTNER. I'm sure you would have appreciated the heads up prior to sleeping with the person who infected you. So - STNKMSTRFLX, let me know what the biopsies show. My husband and I are wondering just how many viruses we can collect between the two of us (a sense of humour also goes a long way).

[Bobbio]

I recently have experienced very similar symptoms as STNKMSTRFLX described.  About 1-2 months ago I noticed some small bumps that looked like pimples in my pubic area.  When I went to break one, I was left with a small, white, firm ball-like core.  I looked at the core closely and it looked whitish and glossy.  When I broke the skin, removing the core, it started bleeding (a good drop of blood would form), then it just stopped bleeding about 1-2 min later.  I would always clean these areas with soap and water.  I have probably broken about 10 of these cores out from my pubic region.  Then I believe I even found one on my wrist, I did the same (removing the core, just by pinching with my fingernails).  Every core has looked exactly the same and every time they have blead substantially (enough to form a large drop, but not enough to run) and stopped. THEY DO NOT OCCUR ON/IN HAIR FOLLICLES.  They have all healed, but every time I think they will no longer return, I find one or two again. They do not itch or cause any pain (I only know they are there by feeling a bump or visually recognising them) I was very concerned for a while about having some STD, but I know they are not Genital warts or Herpes (My two worst fears).  I have done some digging on line and the only thing they seem to resemble is "Molluscum"  However, I never have seen any sort of dimple, and mine seem quite easy to remove (I just use my fingernails).  I think I am going to wait to see if I get more now, and if I do I will go to the Derm to get them checked out.  STNKMSTRFLX any results on that bibopsis???  I had a partern for 6 months, but ended the relationship about 1 month prior to my noticing of these symptoms.  No sexual activity since then... Anyone with more info, please post!!!

[derma52]

So, I have been wondering just what your diagnosis was.  I have now spent 4 months trying to get rid of molluscum.  I found 7 more in the past week, two are in the same area (leg) I had frozen off in June.  I have had them frozen off, burned off, and use aldara. I also tried an essential oil treatment.  I go back to the dr this week.  She promised to burn more off if the aldara didn't do it.  I have many bumps from the molluscum where I used the aldara. I wonder if I will ever have smooth skin again.  I am going to ask about laser treatment if the bumps don't go away.  I have discolored skin in the areas of the other treatments, and hope as time passes they will go away.

[blackspecks]

Your case sounds very familiar to me. We have been researching strange and unusual skin invasions by fungi and parasites as well as parasitic fungi and we've recently made some great discoveries in the field. I think your friend should contact us so we could present a few symptomatic questions to her to see if we may be able to help her. If anyone else suffers from strange skin conditions like tiny black specks coming from the skin pores, white granules coming from skin, strange fibers protruding from skin, or other conditions such as Lyme disease, they, also should get in touch with us.
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[derma52]

Hi,

I am sorry you are feeling upset because I have felt the same way, and honestly hope you do not have molluscum.  I am not sure how I got molluscum, but have been plagued with it for months.  I was also told not to have any sexual relations until I am clear of them. I find new ones almost every few days.  I have been treated 3 different ways.  I am tired of dealing with them. If you would like to discuss it more let me know.  Hope you get GOOD test results.

[STNKMSTRFLX]

If it is Molluscum, how long will it last and will they recur?  If so, how often do they usually recur?  My Derm told me that once they are gone, you can't get them back from the same infection.  He said that you could get them again from another infection from another person, but that you won't get recurring lesion from the original infection.  Is this accurate?  Thanks

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I think it doesn't matter much either way.

You often can't see the umbilication (dimpling) of small molluscum lesions, but you can see it if you freeze them with liquid nitrogen, which is also a good way to treat them.

The reason it doesn't matter much is that thr vast majority of mollusca are not sexually transmitted.  This is so despite the impression you might get from textbooks.  Every week I see kids with molluscum, when no one around them has it, and almost none of the adults I have seen who have groin lesions have sexual partners with the condition (if they have any partners at all.)

So the biopsy will tell the tale one way or the other, but since both folliculitis and molluscum does away even without treatment, you should be in good shape either way.

If you feel uncomfortable discussing this with your current dermatologist, consider finding another.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff