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Molluscum Contagiosum and Oral Sex
My partner had bumps on his lower abdomen and thigh, and he assured me that they were just razor bumps. However, these bumps have been here for about one month and they have not disappeared. They eventually appeared on his balls and shaft. The doctor told him it was molluscum. We have had sex a few time while the bumps were there, but we used a condom each time. I also gave him oral sex without a condom. What are the chances I will get these bumps on my face? on my lips? in my mouth? by my genitals? If they do appear on my face, how do dermatologists remove them without scarring?
You could get them on your face, and possibly in your mouth, though that's uncommon.
"Primarily a skin infection, molluscum contagiosum lesions can also occur on mucous membranes, although involvement of the oral soft tissues is uncommon. Oral lesions occur most frequently on the lips, tongue, and buccal mucosa." (www.cdho.org/Advisories/CDHO_Factsheet_Molluscum_Contagiosum.pdf)
You may not see symptoms for awhile. The incubation period (time from infection to time of symptoms appearing) ranges from 1 week to 6 months, but the average is 2 to 3 months. (http://www.ashasexualhealth.org/stdsstis/molluscum-contagiosum/)
Removing the lesions can cause scarring. Often, doctors will opt to leave them to resolve naturally, since they don't cause scarring, though that has pros and cons to it. Removing them can help prevent the spread, but the treatment can cause scarring.
https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/molluscum-contagiosum/long-term-effects.html
There is an oral treatment. Facial lesions don't respond as well, if you get them on your face - https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/molluscum-contagiosum/treatment.html
Was he diagnosed by a visual exam? While it's likely it's molluscum, as they have certain features doctors look for, you might want to check out pics online to compare if you haven't already. If there is any question, he should get a biopsy.
I'm sorry you are going through this.
"Primarily a skin infection, molluscum contagiosum lesions can also occur on mucous membranes, although involvement of the oral soft tissues is uncommon. Oral lesions occur most frequently on the lips, tongue, and buccal mucosa." (www.cdho.org/Advisories/CDHO_Factsheet_Molluscum_Contagiosum.pdf)
You may not see symptoms for awhile. The incubation period (time from infection to time of symptoms appearing) ranges from 1 week to 6 months, but the average is 2 to 3 months. (http://www.ashasexualhealth.org/stdsstis/molluscum-contagiosum/)
Removing the lesions can cause scarring. Often, doctors will opt to leave them to resolve naturally, since they don't cause scarring, though that has pros and cons to it. Removing them can help prevent the spread, but the treatment can cause scarring.
https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/molluscum-contagiosum/long-term-effects.html
There is an oral treatment. Facial lesions don't respond as well, if you get them on your face - https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/molluscum-contagiosum/treatment.html
Was he diagnosed by a visual exam? While it's likely it's molluscum, as they have certain features doctors look for, you might want to check out pics online to compare if you haven't already. If there is any question, he should get a biopsy.
I'm sorry you are going through this.
2 Comments
Is it uncommon to get bumps on the lips, too? I don't know if lips are considered to be mucus membranes.
Yes, its uncommon on the lips - those are mucous membranes. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mucous_membrane (Yes, I know it's wiki, but it's a decent article.)
If you aren't established with a dermatologist, you might consider doing that now so that if you get this, you'll be able to get in faster.
If you aren't established with a dermatologist, you might consider doing that now so that if you get this, you'll be able to get in faster.
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