Small lesions
The most common symptom of molluscum contagiosum (MC) is the appearance of small lesions or abnormal patches on the skin. This is usually the only symptom. The lesions are:
The lesions usually appear in small clusters or are spread widely across different parts of the body. They are usually 2-6mm in diameter. You may notice that some of the lesions have a tiny grey head in the centre and look pearly. This head may rupture (split), causing a thick yellowy-white substance to escape. This substance is highly infectious. You or your child should avoid handling or squeezing the lesions as this can spread the infection to other parts of the body.
In children, the spots of MC can appear on the:
- hands
- arms
- face
- neck
- chest and stomach
In sexually active adults, the lesions usually appear on the:
- groin area, spreading upwards over the abdomen
- genitals
- inner thighs
Very rarely, lesions may develop in a number of other places in both adults and children, including:
- on the palms of the hand
- on the soles of the feet
- inside the mouth
- around the eyelid
Otherwise healthy children and adults will usually have no more than 20 lesions on their body.
Progression of symptoms
Over a period of approximately 6 to12 weeks, each lesion will crust over spontaneously before eventually healing. The lesions do not usually leave scars, but you may notice that each one leaves a tiny patch of lighter skin or a tiny pitted mark.
As the virus that is responsible for MC can spread to new areas of your skin, you may find that new lesions form as the old ones are healing. This can mean that an episode of MC may last for quite a long time, although in most cases the infection will clear up within 18 months.
Other symptoms
The lesions of molluscum contagiosum are not usually painful but it is normal to have some mild redness and swelling around each lesion as it starts to heal.
However, in about 1 in 10 cases, patches of eczema can develop around the lesions. Eczema is a skin condition where the skin becomes itchy, reddened, dry and cracked. This is thought to happen because some people are particularly sensitive to the effects of the virus that is responsible for MC.
Children who have atopic eczema, which is where the skin is particularly sensitive to substances such as dust mites or pollen, are particularly vulnerable to this additional symptom.
See the Health A-Z topic about Atopic eczema for more information.
