The CMGs offer information on the diagnosis and management of a range of conditions that present with varying frequency in primary and first contact care.
Molluscum contagiosum is a localised dermal poxvirus infection. It is more common in children up to the age of 14 and in immunocompromised adults. The condition is mildly contagious, usually unilateral and characterised by single or groups of small fluid-filled skin nodules around a central depression on the eyelid or surrounding skin. Ocular symptoms include redness, watering, photophobia and blurring of vision. This Clinical Management Guideline outlines the aetiology, signs and symptoms and evidence-based recommendations for diagnosing and managing molluscum contagiosum. It also provides recommendations for when referral for local surgical intervention may be indicated.
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What is molluscum contagiosum?
Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection of the skin that occurs most commonly in children. It usually consists of a single or a small group of fluid-filled pimples which have an obvious central depression. These can appear on the eyelids or surrounding skin. If molluscum is close to the eye, it may cause a type of conjunctivitis.
How is molluscum contagiosum managed?
Since the condition gets better by itself, the usual advice in patients with this condition is to watch it carefully and allow natural healing. However, molluscum removal may be recommended if there are several pimples near the eye, or if it occurs on the rim of the eyelid, or when there is conjunctivitis. Various surgical and medical treatments are available but there is no evidence that one type of treatment is better than another.