Molluscum Queation

Hi Dr. Regarding the MC, I have talked with my girlfriend on this and since I most likely got it through sexual contact, she then told me that she has two small pimples on the inside of her thigh, close to her butt. My question is this, she wanted to know if they are MC, & if so, how did she get them? We are together for about a year and I just got them like 3 weeks ago. Why would I get them now & not before? If people were exposed to them when they were young, can they get them again? Can MC look like small flesh color pimples? Lastly, if they are MC, why did not they get larger & then fade away? She is confused as well. (Actually she wanted me to post this question) Can someone develope them for some time & after a while can they get a little larger enough where she can feel them? They have been there for about a month & have not gone away? Your thoughts would be helpful. Sorry for being so annoying. Thanks, your a big help!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Untreated MC probably can persist for many months, perhaps even a couple of years.  It isn't common, but it happens.  Certainly individual lesions can persist unchanged--without growing or fading--for several weeks, perhaps several months.  So your story certainly fits with the idea that your girfriend has been infected for a period of time and she is the source off your infection.  Your description of "flesh colored pimples" sounds like it could be MC--especially if they have a shiny pink appearance or have a central dimple.  But there is a lot of variation; the bottom line is that she will need to see a health care provider; everything else iis just a guessing game.

In any case, with the chronic STDs that can persist for months or years--HPV, herpes, molluscum, and to some extent chlamydia--I strongly advise mongomous couples to not get into mind games about where this came from, who infected who first, and so on.  It's usually unproductive, without clear answers.  You're sharing an infection and you both need treatment; that's all.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[Deedesign]

Thanks, Just wanted to say thank you for answering the public on all subjects. Great service you provide!

[Deedesign]

I will actually do the self approach and use a sterile needle and take off the MC that she has, if she has them. I know from the forums to take out the core (center) until it bleeds and that should destroy the MC. Then to apply some neosporin of some kind to make sure secondary infection does not take place.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

That'll do it.  The neosporin is optional; it's more important to wash ahead of time with soap and water then keep the area clean and dry for the next couple of day.

HHH, MD

[steve123]

I put that New Skin stuff on mine after I took out the core,  that seems to clear it up pretty quick. I haven't had any secondary infections.