title: [Molluscum contagiosum: descriptive study].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Molluscum contagiosum is a cutaneous viral infection that often requires assistance. The aim of our study is to review the cases admitted in our clinic, evaluate the epidemiological features and the treatment prescribed.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a descriptive survey of the patients diagnosed of molluscum contagiosum in our clinic (Complexo Hospitalario Arquitecto Marcide-Novoa Santos, Ferrol, Spain) between June 16th 2008 and January 15th 2009. The following dates were recorded in all cases: age, sex, personal history of atopy, swimming pool attendance, number of lesions and treatment prescribed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  140 cases of molluscum contagiosum were included in the study. Average age was 10.7 years. 51.43% of patients had a personal history of atopy and 72.1% used to attendance swimming-pool. Average number of lesions was 13.3, with a higher number of them in males, atopic and swimming-pool attendants. Curettage was the treatment performed in 86.4% of cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Atopic dermatitis and swimming-pool attendance were associated in our study with a higher frequency and number of molluscum contagiosum. Although different therapeutic options must be evaluated depending on the patient and clinical skills, curettage is the most frequent treatment performed by dermatologists.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Dermatología, Complejo Hospitalario Arquitecto Marcide-Novoa Santos, Ferrol, A Coruña, España. benims@hotmail.com <benims@hotmail.com>
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Monteagudo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cabanillas
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Acevedo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Las Heras
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pérez-Pérez
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Suárez-Amor
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ginarte
mesh_terms: D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008976:Molluscum Contagiosum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*
chemical_list: D007641:Keratolytic Agents