In brief...
These are tiny lumps on the skin, including the genitals, that are caused by a virus. Molluscum can be caught during sex but also by close skin-to-skin contact or sharing towels with someone who is infected. It is very easy for us to examine and treat you for molluscum.
Back to top
What is molluscum?
Molluscum contagiosum is a common infection of any part of the skin, including the genitals, and both sexes can get it. It is caused by a skin virus that belongs to the 'molluscipox' family. The symptoms can take weeks, or months to occur, and include small pearl-like hard lumps with a sometimes tiny dimple at the top of each one. The virus is quite infectious, and is passed through close contact, including sexual contact, and also via clothing, towels, flannels or hankies.
Back to top
What should I do before coming to shac?
Try not to touch the molluscum lumps, or wash your hands thoroughly afterwards, because the virus might be transferred to other parts of your body. Make sure you don't share towels or flannels so that you don't pass the virus to other people. Avoid sex until your treatment is finished to prevent you passing the virus on to your partner(s).
Back to top
What tests can you offer?
We can usually tell if you have molluscum by the appearance of the lumps.
Back to top
What treatment can you offer?
We will have a look at the genital molluscum lumps and decide whether they are molluscum or something else. We can easily treat the lumps in the clinic by freezing them away using a cold spray, Cryotherapy. This takes about half a minute per lump and might sting a little but isn't painful. Because you might have caught them by having unprotected sex we might also offer you tests for other infections.
Back to top
What should I do next?
If the molluscum hasn't cleared come back to the clinic a week or two after treatment. To prevent you passing the virus on to your partner it is best to avoid sex until we are sure the lumps have gone. It would be best if your partner came to see us to check they are not infected.
Back to top
How can I avoid getting molluscum?
In general, avoid sharing towels or flannels with other people, especially if they are infected with the virus. If you or your partner has molluscum on the penis, it would be a good idea to use a condom until the lumps are treated.
|
