Scabies and Molluscum Contagiosum: Differences
Disease description:
Recently, my skin surface has often felt itchy, and I'm very concerned that it might be caused by molluscum contagiosum. What is the difference between scabies and molluscum contagiosum?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
Scabies and molluscum contagiosum differ in several aspects. Etiologically, scabies is caused by infestation of the skin with the scabies mite and is transmitted via direct or indirect contact; in contrast, molluscum contagiosum is caused by infection with the molluscum contagiosum virus and is primarily transmitted through sexual contact or close personal contact. Clinically, scabies mainly presents with papules and vesicles, accompanied by significant nocturnal pruritus, and skin lesions commonly occur in thin and tender skin areas. Molluscum contagiosum, however, manifests as papules with a waxy luster and a central umbilication, from which a cheese-like molluscum body can be expressed, and usually no other discomfort symptoms are present. Regarding treatment, scabies is primarily managed with topical scabicidal agents, along with attention to personal hygiene and disinfection of clothing. Molluscum contagiosum can be treated with physical therapies such as cryotherapy or electrodessication, or medical treatments such as modifications of traditional Chinese herbal prescriptions for removing warts.
