Close-up of molluscum contagiosum on a patient’s shoulder

Molluscum Contagiosum

Common, contagious skin infection that primarily affects children under the age of 14.1

Molluscum contagiosum is a common, contagious skin infection caused by the molluscipoxvirus.2 More than half of patients diagnosed with molluscum are untreated3 as most healthcare providers employ a “watch and wait” strategy.4 Over 30% of those treated receive an off-label prescription with no molluscum indication or proven clinical efficacy.5 Others face potentially painful in office, healthcare provider administered physical procedures or cantharidin application. The average time to resolution is 13 months6, however, some children experience lesions that may not resolve in 24 months. 

 

  • Causes round, firm, itchy bumps / lesions 

  • Lasts an average of 13 months, if left untreated 

  • Affects approximately ~6 million people in the U.S.1,7 

  • More than 1 million new cases diagnosed annually8 

  • Primarily affects children under the age of 14 

1. Prevalence in the US of 5.1% to 11.5% in children aged 0-16 years. (Fam Pract. 2014 Apr;31(2):130-6). 2. Silverberg NB. Cutis. 2019;104(5):301-305 3. Basdag H, et al. Pediatr Dermatol. 2015;32(3):353-357 4. Committee on Infectious Diseases, American Academy of Pediatrics, Kimberlin DW, Barnett ED, Lynfield R, Sawyer MH. Molluscum contagiosum. In: Red Book: 2021-2024 report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. American Academy of Pediatrics; 2021. 5. Syneos Health data on file. Non-derm expansion strategy: claims analysis. Final report. April 2022. 6. Butala N, et al. Pediatrics. 2013;131(5):e1650-e1653. Olsen JR, et al. Lancet Infect Dis. 2015;15(2):190-195. Molluscum contagiosum: diagnosis and treatment. American Academy of Dermatology. Accessed July 12, 2022. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/molluscum-contagiosum-treatment 7. Molluscum Contagiosum – Epidemiology Forecast – 2028. Seven Major Markets (U.S., Germany, Spain, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and Japan from 2017 – 2028). 8. Syneos Health market research.

    Negatively Affects Children, Caregivers, and Families