Molluscum Contagiosum

Serving Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Grimsby and surrounding areas

Molluscum Contagiosum:

    • Are cause by the Molluscum Pox virus and are mildly contagious
    • May affect the face, limbs, trunk and genitals
    • Virtually never affect the palms, soles, cervix or inside the vagina
    • May be present for months, weeks or years before they are noticed
    • Are not painful and usually produce no symptoms
    • Do not cause precancerous or cancerous changes in the skin or cervix
    • Are spread by touching the spots
    • Are common in children and are transmitted by touching in a non-sexual fashion
    • In adults with lesions on the inner thighs, lower abdomen, genitals and buttocks, the spots are usually transmitted by sexual contact
    • Will resolve spontaneously, but this may take months or years
    • When molluscum start to resolve spontaneously, the spots become red, swollen and may form a central “white head” like a “pimple” or look infected
      • They are not truly infected
      • This is just the body’s immune system destroying the spot
    • Are not herpes (genital herpes, herpes simplex)
    • Are not warts (condyloma accuminata)
  • Molluscum Contagiousm can usually be eliminated in 4 to 6 treatments, spaced 2 weeks apart
  • In cases with genital lesions, intercourse must be avoided until the spots have disappeared, otherwise they may be spread to the sexual partner
  • There is a 30% chance that molluscum may recur weeks or months after treatment is completed
    • This may result from re-infection from another person with lesions, or reactivation of dormant virus in the skin
  • There are no pills, “antibiotics”, or injections that are effective to treat this infection

Liquid Nitrogen:

  • Is a freezing spray used to destroy the lesions
  • The treatments are painful and the area treated may remain painful for 1 to 2 days
  • The treatment may produce scabs, crusts or blisters
    • This is normal
    • If the blisters are painful, pop them with a sterile needle to let the fluid out
  • The treated area requires no special treatment
  • You may bathe normally
  • A bandage is not necessary
  • These treatments are done every two weeks

Cantharone:

  • Is a liquid that produces blisters when applied to the skin
  • The application of the medication is painless
    • Blisters may form within 24 hours and may be painful
    • This is normal
    • If the blisters are painful, pop them with a sterile needle to let the fluid out
  • Treatments are done every 2 weeks
  • Cantharone will produce blisters if it is applied to normal skin, the eyes or mouth
    • It is very important that the treated area not be touched until it is dry

If you are interested in learning more about sexually transmitted diseases, please click here

What if you are interested to learn more?

If you would like to learn more please phone the aesthetic centre directly at (905) 549-7873 to book a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable technicians or

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