Molluscum
Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum (pronunciation: məˈlʌskəm kənˌteɪdʒiˈoʊsəm) is a common skin infection caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV), a member of the Poxviridae family.
Etymology
The term "molluscum" is derived from the Latin word 'molluscus', meaning 'soft', which refers to the characteristic soft, flesh-colored bumps that appear on the skin during infection. "Contagiosum" is derived from the Latin word 'contagiosus', meaning 'contagious', indicating the highly infectious nature of the virus.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of molluscum contagiosum is the presence of small, raised, pearly, flesh-colored bumps or papules on the skin. These bumps often have a dimple in the center and may become red or inflamed. They are typically painless but can become itchy or tender.
Transmission
Molluscum contagiosum is highly contagious and can be transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact, sharing of personal items such as towels or clothing, or sexual contact. The virus can also spread to other parts of the body through scratching or rubbing the bumps.
Treatment
Treatment for molluscum contagiosum may include topical medications, physical removal of the bumps, or cryotherapy. However, in many cases, the bumps will disappear on their own without treatment over a period of months to years.
Related Terms
- Dermatology: The branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases.
- Poxvirus: A family of viruses that includes the molluscum contagiosum virus.
- Papule: A small, raised bump on the skin.
- Cryotherapy: The use of extreme cold in surgery or other medical treatments.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Molluscum
- Wikipedia's article - Molluscum
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski