TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Section 5. Viral and Rickettsial Diseases A1 - Weinberg, Samuel A1 - Prose, Neil S. A1 - Kristal, Leonard PY - 2008 T2 - Color Atlas of Pediatric Dermatology, 4e AB - This condition is a benign viral infection that appears as crops of discrete, slightly umbilicated, flesh-colored, or shiny papules. It is extremely common among children and may be seen in several children within a family. The lesions may become inflamed if traumatized or infected and sometimes become inflamed spontaneously as they resolve. Rarely is there only a solitary lesion; most commonly there are fewer than 20. However, the total number is sometimes in hundreds. The lesions tend to be grouped, and the average size of a lesion is 2–3 mm in diameter and height. The trunk, face, and genitalia are the most common sites of infection. Pruritus is an occasional symptom and may be the impetus for inoculating the viral infection from one area of the skin to another. Molluscum contagiosum is self-limited, but treatment is often required out of concern for appearance. Treatment should be individualized to the age and extent of involvement in each patient. Destruction of lesions with a sharp curette is the preferred mode in a cooperative child with limited disease. The child with numerous lesions poses a particular therapeutic challenge. SN - PB - The McGraw-Hill Companies CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/04/23 UR - accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=6987258 ER -