Molluscum Contagiosum

[jc62]

I have a rash that has been identified by the doctor as molluscum contagiosum as well as some cherry angiomas.  Posted about that before I knew for sure what they were.  Also had a sore throat and my lymph nodes there were enlarged a few days ago.

Went to a urgent care center and they gave me augmentin (which has me a little nauseous).  Took ibuprofen for the pain in my neck.  The next day, I briefly was able to see a physician's assistant and she said I had MC and referred my to a dermatologist for a complete body overlook.  Now it is 3 weeks until then.

My scalp is dry and I think I have lost hair in the front, where the hairline naturaly is receding anyway.  The MC are on my hands (where first noted a few weeks ago) and also on arms, chest, thigh, face (just noted on my eyelid).  None are on my genetils.  Is the dry scalp commonly associated with this condition?

As I noted in the last post, I had found websites saying these were early HIV symptoms.  However, I am not having night sweats, fevers, or general flu symptoms.  (I did, however, get a flu shot a month ago.)  Desperate, I got an HIV test yesterday.  It was negative.  Should I be worried about that or is what I am experiencing much more general?  I can deal with MC and let it take its course with some freezing of papules.  Right now it is spreading here and there, likely by contact.  However, as a rash, it is remarkably sparse.

[increasingknowledge]

It's my understanding that Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a poxvirus(Molluscipox virus) That this virus causes a papular type rash area (two or more bumps). And the individual cutaneous bumps are smooth and dome shaped, are more often skin colored and somewhat opalescent, have a depression in the center which contains a waxy white curd like nucleus.  That this is a cutaneous viral eruption and can be found around mucous membranes Underarm area, groin, genital, including the buttock area.  
MCV is rarely found in the mouth or on the eye or the conjunctiva. This virus spreads itself(medical term autoinoculation).
Children acquire this virus(normally)in a nonsexual manner developing it in genital and non-genital areas. Whereas, adults more often acquire it as an STD and the virus mostly is found in the genital (groin, buttocks and anal area) on the thighs, and lower abdomen.
Transmission requires direct contact with infected hosts or any inanimate object that is capable of transmitting germs from one person to another(moist bath towels). Treatment of a MCV outbreak can be very problematical in those individuals that have immune deficiency.
If you think you have MCV or if you think your child has it. The best course of action is to see a Dermatologist. This medical professional will be able to diagnose and offer the proper treatment for the individual with this condition or possibly a much different condition that might mimic MCV and require a very different treatment!
I am sure most of you know the information in the last paragraph is something most individuals would do anyway!!!!
And the information I have written is from and based on what I personally learned through education and is my personal understanding of MCV. And is information written by an individual that is not a Licensed Medical Professional.

[suziqt2630]

I have a special friend, that has Molluscum Contagiosum since he was 19. he continues to get breakouts 1 or 2 x a year.
He has been to several Dr.'s asking for answers, to no avail.
He is very concerned, and wants to find a answer, why he continues to get breakouts. What can he do?

Thanks so much,
Suzi

[jc62]

I suppose this one on my inner thigh is nothing to worry about.  I think it has been hanging there for a while.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o9/jc62/thigh1.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o9/jc62/thigh2.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o9/jc62/thigh3.jpg

I have not noticed anything on my privates at all.  This is as close to them as I have seen.  I had thought it was just due to sweating down there, but since I can see it up close with the images, especially the first one, I am not so sure.  Looks like it has a central indentation.  It is unpigmented, same color ar the local skin; so I suppose melanoma is absolutely no issue.

Well, if you don't want to comment on it, I understand.  I figured some others might have similar and benefit from your insight as well.  Wasn't sure how to really even describe it.  It just hangs there and doesn't match anything I am aware of.  I'll show it to the dermatologist in a few weeks too.  (The problem with being fair skin is you see every little bump.  Perhaps that is a blessing really for some folks.)

[jc62]

Thanks, doc!  Now I can get some sleep at night.  (And boy do I ever have an appreciation for the anxiety people with the real problem have.)  But in case it should spread by skin to skin contact (and wet towels, ...) while I am waiting for a specialist's formal diagnosis, do you have advice for showering and drying to minimize such virulent contact?

And all the best of holidays and a fine 2007 to you and others here!

[jte777]

I think the doctor will tell you that lots of very healthy people get molluscum, even young children who are certainly not sexually active. I believe that since it is sparse, that speaks against HIV probably. Try to relax and wait for Dr. Rockoff´s reassuring advice. If your test was negative, I doubt seriously that you have HIV to worry about. The symptoms could have many simple and non-serious causes.

[jc62]

I guess I should have just summarized my qustions as follows.

(1) Do swollen (for a couple days) neck lymph nodes ever accompany a MC infection?  I realize it lives in the epidermal layer of the skin exclusively which is why it doesn't seem right.  I am inclined to think it would work the other way around, that the swollen lymph nodes signaled animpaired immune system and the infection took hold as a compromise of that.  But I am not a medical professional; so I ask.

(2) My xerosis, dry skin and hair and possible hair loss.  Is there a common association of that with an MC infection?  Or is it likely a result of my anxiety and stress over it all for a couple weeks?

and one I forgot...

(3) Any advice on best practices for showering and subsequent drying to minimize the risk of further spreading MC on my body?

Thanks, in advance.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

First of all, molluscum is a common condition seen every day in perfectly healthy children and adults.  It is most certainly not an "early HIV symptom."  People with advances immune suppression may have many mollusca, but that's a whole different story.

Second, it is almost inconceivable to me that you have them "on my hands... and also on arms, chest, thigh, face (just noted on my eyelid)."  I suggest you wait till you see the dermatologist to see what you actually have.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff