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CLINICAL REVIEW: Michael J Sladden and Graham A Johnston Common skin infections in children BMJ 2004; 329: 95-99 [Full text]

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Molluscum contagiosum is not always benign

Richard M Redmond   (15 July 2004)

Molluscum contagiosum is not always benign 15 July 2004
Richard M Redmond, Consultant Ophthalmologist Scarborough Hospital, YO12 6QL Send response to journal: Re: Molluscum contagiosum is not always benign	I welcome the informative clinical review 'Common skin infections in children' by Michael Sladden and Graham Johnston. However, when a Molluscum contagiosum arises in eyelid skin or even at the eyelid margin, it is far from benign. The lesion causes chronic keratoconjunctivitis which can be easily misdiagnosed and mistreated if the causative lesion is not identified. Vascular infiltration and scarring of the peripheral cornea can occur(1). I expect to see one or two children a year who have had a miserable few months with a sore, photophobic and discharging eye prior to referral to the Eye Clinic. Under such circumstances, I am sure that prompt treatment of the eyelid lesion is indicated and a short course of topical steroid drops may be helpful. (1) Kanski JJ. Clinical Ophthalmology 4th Edition p62-3, 1999 Competing interests: None declared