Q My child is in 2nd grade of elementary school. We live in Dong-Incheon, and small round bumps appeared on my child's torso. The dermatologist said it was molluscum contagiosum. Is it different from regular warts?
A Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a completely different poxvirus (molluscum contagiosum virus), not HPV. It is characterized by pearlescent papules with a small central dimple, and spreads through skin contact or sharing towels and bathing supplies. It is very common in children and mostly resolves naturally within a few months to 2 years, but scratching can cause autoinoculation and spread.
Detailed Answer
Molluscum contagiosum is caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV), a poxvirus entirely different from HPV. It infects only skin keratinocytes and does not cause systemic symptoms. Multiple 2–5mm pink or skin-colored papules with a central dimple (umbilication) appear on the abdomen, armpits, neck, and face.
In children, it spreads through skin contact, public pools, and sharing towels or bathing supplies. Children with atopic dermatitis are more susceptible due to a weaker skin barrier. Children with normal immunity commonly experience spontaneous resolution within 6 months to 2 years, but without treatment, it can spread to family and friends or increase to dozens of lesions, so treatment should be considered at the right time.
Treatment options: ①Curettage (scraping), ②Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy, ③Podophyllin application, ④Watchful waiting for natural resolution. The less painful method is preferred for younger children.
Oriental Medicine Clinic Perspective
In Korean medicine, molluscum contagiosum is viewed as a state of Damp-Heat (濕熱) accumulated in the skin. When the Spleen and Stomach function of children is weak, Damp-Phlegm accumulates in the body and skin immunity decreases, making viral invasion easier. Combining prescriptions that strengthen the Spleen and Stomach (such as Samnyeong Baekchul-san) with external treatments (castor oil application) helps accelerate natural healing and prevent recurrence.
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