Can Adults Get Molluscum From Child & How To Stop Molluscum Contagiosum From Spreading?

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection which leads to the development of small bumps on the skin. It is a self-limiting disease and therefore the infection goes away on its own. This is a contagious condition and can spread from person to person. Hence, people commonly have various questions regarding this. Can adults get molluscum from child? How to stop molluscum contagiosum from spreading? This article addresses some of these questions.

Molluscum contagiosum is most commonly seen occurring in children and is associated with a weak immune system. The bumps of molluscum contagiosum are round, firm, painless with a depression in the middle. The size ranges from a pinhead to a pencil eraser. People are often worried about can adults get molluscum from child. Let us understand the way in which molluscum contagiosum spreads in children and adults both.

Molluscum contagiosum as the name suggests is a contagious skin disease. It spreads through direct contact from person-to-person or from contaminated things. Children often get infected from molluscum contagiosum from the contaminated objects. Coming in contact with any object, toy, or any material contaminated with the virus causing this infection to spread. Children mostly get it on their stomach, arms, face, and legs.

Adults too, get infected from molluscum infection in the similar manner. Now coming back to the question, can adults get molluscum from child? Adults can very well get this disease from the children if they come into contact with a child infected from molluscum. Skin to skin contact or touching clothes, towel or any toy which is infected can lead to molluscum contagiosum to spread. Adults also get the virus from sex. The infection can also spread to other parts of the body by touching or scratching the bumps. The bumps associated with molluscum contagiosum usually disappear within a year without going through any treatment.

The bumps of molluscum contagiosum include the following signs and symptoms:

• Raised, round or are flesh colored
• Can become red, inflamed, or itchy
• Have an indentation on the top middle
• Usually present on face, armpits, neck, top of hands
• In adults may also be seen occurring in the genitals, lower abdomen, and the inner upper thigh
• Gets easily removed on scratching and leading to spread

As molluscum contagiosum spreads from one person to another by coming in contact, if few hygiene factors are kept in mind the spread can be avoided. Here are some of the effective tips on how to stop molluscum contagiosum from spreading.

• Never touch, scratch, or rub the bumps
• Keep hands clean, wash them with soap when required
• The area infected should be kept clean and moisturized
• When going for any activity which requires sharing of equipment or using a common pool or so, keep the area of infection covered. You can cover it with a watertight bandage or clothing.
• Never shave the area where the bumps are present
• Change the clothing when dirty
• Do not share towels, clothing or personal items of any person suffering from molluscum contagiosum

Whether you have this infection or the person you know has it, following the above simple precautionary steps can help prevent the spread. The infection can recur if you again come in contact with an individual infected with the same virus. These growths usually do not leave any scar. Treatment taken for the same might sometime scar the skin. Molluscum contagiosum does not require any treatment though, but people whose bumps get further infected might need a doctor’s help.

Now that you are aware that adults can get molluscum from a child, appropriate precautions must be taken. The tips on how to stop molluscum contagiosum from spreading are useful and can be adopted to protect yourself from getting infected.

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Also Read:

• Molluscum Contagiosum (MC): Causes, Risk Factors, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention
• Alternative Treatment For Molluscum Contagiosum
• Can Molluscum Contagiosum Be Cured?
• How Long Does Molluscum Contagiosum Last?
• Is Molluscum Contagiosum The Same As HPV?
• What Causes You To Have Molluscum Contagiosum?
• Does Molluscum Go Away On Its Own?