Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection caused by poxvirus, that causes waxy, smooth, skin-colored bumps. Such bumps are generally less than 1/2 inch in diameter and have a tiny dimple in the center.

In some cases, a single bump can grow to an 1,5 inch. The poxvirus, which results in Molluscum contagiosum, is in fact contageous; it frequently is transmitted sexually and is spread by direct skin contact. Such a virus most commonly infects public regions (though not commonly in the vagina or the penis) and groin, the virus may infect any skin area.

The bumps usually are not painful or itchy and can be found only coincidentally at the time routine physical examination. They frequently progress central dimples filled with white pasty material that makest them easy for the dermatologist to identify. The growths may be treated by removing their core with a needle or freezing.

This entry was filed under Diseases and Conditions.

Tags: bump, dermatologist, groin, molluscum sontagiosum, public regions, skin area, skin infection, virus