Mollusks are harmless bumps on the skin caused by a virus. For the most part, they give no trouble. They disappear by themselves after a while. Mollusks are most common in children.
Symptoms of mollusks
Mollusks can have slightly different colors depending on their own skin color. On light skin, they usually have the same color as the skin or are a little pink. On dark skin, they are often lighter than their own skin. Mollusks are two to five millimeters tall, raised and have a small pit in the middle. In children, they are often found on the stomach, arms, face or neck.
It can form anything from a single mollusk to a great many. It usually takes time for a mollusk to disappear, from a few months up to a year. Sometimes new mollusks may continue to emerge. Therefore, it may take several years for everyone to disappear.
When adults get mollusks, the virus is usually transmitted sexually. The mollusks usually come on the lower abdomen, groin, around the genitals or on the upper thighs. Mollusks are not considered a sexually transmitted disease, which means that you do not have to report the infection to the healthcare system.
Mollusks disappear by themselves
Mollusks are not usually treated or removed because they heal by themselves. Removing the mollusks hurts and it can be scars. Mollusks that can heal by themselves rarely give scars. Before they disappear, it is common for them to first become red, swollen and sore.
What can I do for myself?
Mollusks usually do not cause any problems and need not be treated. If you want to try to treat them, there is a so-called medical technology product to buy at a pharmacy, NoPoxivir. It can possibly speed up the healing somewhat and can be used from two years of age.
It can be sore if you scratch the mollusks. You can reduce the risk of an infection in the wounds by cutting the nails short and keeping them clean.
Sometimes there may be eczema that itches where there are mollusks. Mollusks spread more easily in the skin with eczema. By treating eczema you can reduce the risk of spreading the mollusks. This applies whether you have eczema from the beginning or if you have eczema due to the mollusks. Mild eczema can be treated with cream or ointment with hydrocortisone, which can be purchased without a prescription at pharmacies. Ask a doctor for advice on whether the eczema is cumbersome or widespread. The same applies if you want to use hydrocortisone in a child younger than two years.
Mollusks are infected but are harmless
Mollusks infect skin against skin upon contact, but can also infect through things, such as a towel. The disease is not very contagious.
If you have had mollusks once, the risk of getting mollusks again is very small.
Children can be in preschool or school
You do not need to do anything special to avoid infection as mollusks are not dangerous. Children who have mollusks can go to preschool, family daycare or school as usual and participate in activities such as sports and swimming.