Molluscum contagiosum: Cure lies in the diagnosis

Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a viral infection of the skin caused by a DNA poxvirus called the molluscum contagiosum virus. Although benign, MC can be socially stigmatizing and have an adverse effect on patients’ and their families’ lives, causing emotional concern and anxiety. Diagnosis is established by histopathological examination demonstrating characteristic molluscum bodies within the keratinocytes correlating with clinical findings. Since the lesions are self resolving in majority of the immunocompetent patients, accurate diagnosis and proper counseling is sufficient at times. We report a case of molluscum contagiosum in a young, immunocompetent female with self resolving nature of the disease which demonstrates the significance of diagnosis and mere counseling to alleviate the anxiety of such patients.