Molluscum contagiosum is a common, benign skin infection caused by a poxvirus. It typically appears as small, flesh-colored, dome-shaped bumps with a characteristic dimple in the center. This article explains how the molluscum contagiosum virus is transmitted between people and how it can spread on an individual’s body.
Direct Skin-to-Skin Transmission
The most common way to acquire molluscum contagiosum is through direct physical contact with the skin lesions of an infected person, allowing the virus to transfer. Transmission can occur during everyday activities, particularly in environments where close physical interaction is common.
Children frequently spread the virus through playing, wrestling, or sharing beds with an infected sibling or friend. In adults, molluscum contagiosum can be transmitted through sexual contact, especially when lesions are present in the genital or perineal areas. Athletes involved in contact sports, such as wrestling, gymnastics, or martial arts, are also at risk due to frequent skin friction and direct contact with teammates. Even a brief touch of a lesion can be sufficient for the virus to spread.
Indirect Contact and Contaminated Objects
Molluscum contagiosum can also be transmitted indirectly through contact with contaminated objects, known as fomites, which harbor the virus after touching infected skin lesions. Common items facilitating indirect transmission include towels, clothing, toys, sponges, and washcloths.
Shared environments often present opportunities for indirect transmission. Swimming pools, for instance, can be a source if individuals share pool equipment or towels, or if the virus is present on contaminated surfaces. Gyms and locker rooms, with shared equipment and benches, can also contribute to spread. Similarly, daycare centers, schools, and homes with an infected individual are environments where the virus can spread indirectly. While less frequent than direct skin-to-skin contact, indirect transmission remains a notable route, especially in shared public spaces.
Self-Inoculation
Once a person has molluscum contagiosum, they can easily spread the virus to other parts of their own body through a process called self-inoculation, also known as autoinoculation. This occurs when an individual touches, scratches, or rubs existing lesions and then touches another area of their skin, transferring the virus to a new site and leading to new bumps.
Activities like shaving over affected areas or using shared items such as razors or loofahs on infected skin can also facilitate self-inoculation. This internal spread contributes to the persistence and expansion of the infection. It is important to note that self-inoculation does not represent a new infection, but rather the spread of an already existing one.
Reducing Your Risk
Preventing the spread of molluscum contagiosum involves several practical strategies. Avoiding direct skin-to-skin contact with visible lesions on others is a primary preventive measure. Refraining from sharing personal items such as towels, clothing, razors, or bath sponges can significantly reduce the risk of indirect transmission.
Maintaining good hygiene, including frequent handwashing, is also important. Covering existing lesions with bandages or clothing, particularly during activities that involve close contact like swimming or sports, helps contain the virus. Avoiding scratching or picking at lesions can prevent self-inoculation and limit the spread of the infection on one’s own body.