Management
Patients with MC should take steps to
avoid transmission, using different towels
from the rest of their family, for example.
Undiagnosed cases should be referred
to the GP for confirmation and advice.
Treatment depends partly on the age of
the patient. Many of the treatments are
painful and often it is best not to treat
since the spots will eventually go away on
their own. If active treatment is needed,
there are several possibilities: 32
Isabel Lavers qualified as an
RGN in 1990 and works as a
Specialist Nurse in Dermatology
at Salford Royal hospital,
Manchester and her own
Aesthetics, laser & dermatology
clinic in Bury.
She publishes regularly on
dermatology topics and enjoys
providing talks at educational
events.
• Topical treatments (often hydrogen
peroxide-containing creams and lotions)
aimed at inducing inflammation in the
molluscum and stimulating an immune
response to stimulate resolution
• Cryotherapy
• Curettage
• Squeezing the spots is not recommended
as it can result in scarring
See more images of Molluscum
Contagiosum at CETpoints.com
Complete a short multiple choice test at
www.cetpoints.com to earn 1 CET point.
References
All Online references accessed 5 April 2017
1
The British Skin Foundation.
http://www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk/SkinInformation/
AtoZofSkindisease/BasalCellCarcinoma.aspx
2
Robert S Bader, MD Basal Cell Carcinoma, Medscape Feb 27, 2017
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/276624-overview
3
The Skin Cancer Foundation.
http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/basal-cell-
carcinoma
4
British Association of Dermatologists, Patient Information Leaflet, Basal
Cell Carcinoma, September 2007, Updated September 2008, February
2012, May 2015
5
The management of low-risk basal cell carcinomas in the community:
NICE guidance on cancer services update (May 2010)
6
Moy, RL (Jan 2000). Clinical Presentation of Actinic Keratoses and
Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Journal of the American Academy of
Dermatology. 42 (1 Pt 2): 8–10.
7
Engel, A; Johnson, ML; Haynes, SG (January 1988). Health effects of
sunlight exposure in the United States. Results from the first National
Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1971–1974. Archives of
dermatology. 124 (1): 72–9.
8
Prajapati V, Barankin B (May 2008). Dermacase. Actinic keratosis. Can
Fam Physician. 54 (5): 691, 699.
9
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, Improving
Outcomes for People with Skin Tumours including Melanoma, February
2006
10
Primary Care Dermatology Society, Clinical Guidelines, Actinic Keratosis.
http://www.pcds.org.uk/clinical-guidance/actinic-keratosis-syn.-solar-
keratosis
11
Derm Net New Zealand.
http://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/actinic-keratosis
12
NHS Choices, Actinic Keratoses (Solar Keratoses).
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/solar-keratosis/Pages/Introduction.aspx
13
Hafner C, Vogt T. Seborrheic keratosis. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges.
2008;6:664–77.
14
Derm Net New Zealand.
http://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/seborrhoeic-keratoses
15
British Association of Dermatologists, Seborrhoeic-Keratoses, Patient
Information Leaflet. Produced November 2004, Updated September
2011, September 2014
16
Derm Net New Zealand.
http://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/lentigo/
Lodish MB, Stratakis CA. The differential diagnosis of familial
lentiginosis syndromes. Familial cancer. 2011;10(3):481-490.
18
Textbook of Dermatology. Ed Rook A, Wilkinson DS, Ebling FJB,
Champion RH, Burton JL. Fourth edition. Blackwell Scientific
Publications.
19
Berk DR, Bayliss SJ. Milia: A review and classification. JAAD
2008;59:1050-1063
20
Derm Net New Zealand.
http://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/milium-milia/
21
Derm Net New Zealand.
http://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/moles/
22
British Association of Dermatologists, Patient Information Leaflet,
Melanocytic Naevi, Produced August 2005, Updated May 2010,
October 2013
23
Signature nevi. Suh KY, Bolognia JL. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009
Mar;60(3):508-14. Review. Medline.
24
Primary Care Dermatology Society, Clinical Guidelines, Benign
Melanocytic Naevi. http://www.pcds.org.uk/clinical-guidance/
moles#images
25
Primary Care Dermatology Society, Clinical Guidelines, Lentigo Maligna.
http://w ww.pcds.org.uk/clinical-guidance/lentigo-maligna-melanoma-
and-lentigo-maligna
26
British Association of Dermatologists Patient Information Leaflet,
Lentigo Maligna, Produced July 2011, Updated July 2014
27
Derm Net New Zealand.
http://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/melanoma/
28
Richardson et al. The incidence and thickness of cutaneous malignant
melanoma in New Zealand 1994–2004. NZ Med J 2008;121:1279
29
Balch CM et al. Final Version of 2009 AJCC Melanoma Staging and
Classification. J Clin Oncol 27:6199-6206.
30
Primary Care Dermatology Society, Clinical Guidelines, Molluscum
Contagiosum. http://www.pcds.org.uk/clinical-guidance/molluscum-
contagiosum
31
British Association of Dermatologists Patient Information Leaflet,
Molluscum Contagiosum, Produced May 2008, Updated August 2011,
August 2014, August 2015
32
NHS Choices, Molluscum Contagiosum.
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Molluscum-contagiosum/Pages/
Treatment.aspx
17
April 2017 | etCETera 17