AN UPDATE ON MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM

Molluscum contagiosum is a common viral infection of the skin, and occ asionally the mucous membranes, manifesting as benign tumors, The char acteristic appearance is of pearly, umbilicated papules, The disease i s self-limited in immunocompetent hosts, but may be protracted in thos e who are immuno-compromised, Multiple local therapeutic options are a vailable; the use of systemic agents has been reported in recalcitrant cases or in patients in whom topical therapy is difficult to apply.