am i still contagious?

[fallen]

I was diagnosed with molluscum contagiosum about two months ago, but i have had the infection for six months now. I just did not know what it was at first.  Most of the bumps have gone away on their own and the five that were left I self treated by using a sterilized needle and took the white cores out.  They scabbed over the scabs have gone away.  The skin there is still red and slightly raised, but is no where near the size that they were before.  I did this about two weeks ago.  No new growths have come up in like two months.  Am I still contagious and If I am what other steps should I take to eradicate this problem.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Usually not, despite what the books say.  Kids get it on the chest all the time.

Dr. Rockoff

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Don't know.  But it happens all the time, kind of like when you catch a cold--most of the time, who knows where you got it?

Dr. Rockoff

[fallen]

if it is not contagious then how did i get it?

[fallen]

i thought that it was an std?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Not much.  If you don't see new ones, I suggest you not needle anything, since it's hard to tell the little marks left over (until they disappear) from actual mollusca.

As to contagiousness, I don't find the condition contagious in anyone--I see all ages with it, and rarely does anyone nearby have it.  So in your situation, you certainly should be OK.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff