Comprehensive Molluscum Contagiosum Treatment in Tarzana

A common skin disease, molluscum contagiosum is caused by a poxvirus that infects only the skin. This virus enters the skin through small breaks in the skin barrier. After an incubation period, growths appear anywhere on the skin. Like warts, which are caused by a different virus, molluscum contagiosum is considered benign. It does not affect internal organs and rarely causes symptoms. As the name implies, molluscum contagiosum is contagious.

While molluscum contagiosum may go away on its own without leaving a scar, dermatologists often recommend treatment. Treatment can prevent the growths from spreading to other areas of the patient’s body and to others. Before treatment begins, a dermatologist may confirm the growths are mollusca by scraping an area of infected skin and examining it under a microscope.

Treatment options for Molluscum Contagiosum:

• Growths can be frozen with liquid nitrogen.
  
• Treated with acids or blistering solutions.
  
• Removed with an electric needle (electrocautery) and curette.
  
• Laser therapy may also be effective.

   

All treatments are performed in-office by a medical dermatologist. If there are multiple growths, sessions may be repeated every 3–6 weeks until the growths disappear. Some discomfort is associated with these procedures.

Restore your skin health and minimize complications with expert care from our Tarzana dermatologists. Book your treatment consultation today.