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Molluscum Contagiosum

Skin Rashes

From Vincent Iannelli, M.D., About.com

Updated: February 7, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Kate Grossman, MD

Note the small flesh colored bumps of Molluscum Contagiosum, which often cause irritation and redness in the surrounding skin.
Molluscum Contagiosum(c) 2006 Vincent Iannelli, MD licensed to About.com, Inc.
Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum, although often flesh colored, can also be pink. They are typically small, dome shaped, and can have a small indendation in their center.

Spread by a virus, some children can get multiple clusters of molluscum on their body, while others just have a few that go away without treatment in a few months or years.

Although some doctors advise leaving molluscum alone, since they do often eventually go away, since they do often spread very aggressively, many other doctors recommend treating them before they begin to spread.

Molluscum contagiosum is not really a wart, but many doctors call them 'little warts.'

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