Molluscum is not always an STD or STI as you can get molluscum from coming into contact with things such as towels, bedding, toys etc that have the molluscum virus.
Molluscum is not related to HPV as it's a different virus in a different virus family.
Molluscum is caused by a virus in the poxvirus family.
Molluscum is not a form of HPV as molluscum contagiosum is caused by a virus from the poxvirus family which is different from the human papilloma virus or HPV family which causes warts.
These two conditions are commonly discussed together and can sometimes be confused for one another as they are both contagious viral diseases that cause skin lesions.
Molluscum contagiosum is an infection caused by a poxvirus (molluscum contagiosum virus).
The result of the molluscum contagiosum infection is usually a benign, mild skin disease characterized by lesions (growths) that may appear anywhere on the body.
The virus that causes molluscum contagiosum spreads easily through: Skin-to-skin contact. Contact with infected objects, such as towels, kickboards and wrestling mats.
Swimming in pools or hot tubs contaminated with the virus.
When applied by a dermatologist, cantharidin is a safe and effective treatment for molluscum.
It's often used to treat young children because it is painless when applied.
If you try to remove the bumps on your own or squeeze out the fluid inside, you risk spreading the virus to other parts of your body.
Keep the bumps clean and wash your hands after touching the molluscum.
Washing your hands helps to remove the virus from your skin so that you don't spread the virus to other areas.
Four subtypes of the molluscum contagiosum virus are known, and the are MCV-1 (98% of cases) is mostly seen in children, while MCV-2 is mainly responsible for skin lesions in people living with HIV.
MCV-3 and MCV-4 are present in Asia and Australia.
FDA has approved Ycanth (cantharidin) for the topical (used on the skin) treatment of molluscum contagiosum in adult and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older.
Ycanth is the first FDA-approved treatment for molluscum.
Ycanth is administered to patients only by health care providers.