Molluscum and eczema: easy to differentiate?

[Numberfour]

Is it easy to tell the difference between eczema and molluscum or can they look quite similar?

I think they look very different. What is your concern?

I am a childminder and I thought one of my little ones has molluscum, but the mother said that she had taken the child to the doc and eczema was diagnosed.

I understand that it is molluscum is common and while it can be a bit uncomfortable and lasts for a very long time, but I am concerned that the mother may have been a little economical with the truth regarding the trip to the doctor. I may well be wrong, I admit!

Have you tried googling pictures of them both? My DDs have had both eczema and molluscum at various times, and I didnt think that they looked at all alike.

Yes, I have googled both, Bigstripey, and that's the reason for my doubt.

Not much I can do about it, I suppose. It is a bit difficult working on your own in cases like this. I would not exclude the child for this, but there are ways to try to contain infection if it is molluscum, so in fairness to me and my family and the children of the other families I mind, I think that the parents should have the child diagnosed. Then I can take the proper steps to contain the virus as best I can.

Then again, maybe they HAVE taken LO to the doctor and I am talking nonsense.

I don't think the're alike at all. dd has had molloscum and two different types of excema all at the same time but molloscum are very distinctive.

They are very different but the virus that causes molluscum really likes eczematous skin so they are often in the same place.

To be honest, there isn't a lot you can do to contain the virus and the steps you could take (good hygiene, seperate towels etc) are ones you should be taking anyway.

Its such a harmless little thing I really wouldn't be at all bothered if my DS picked it up from childminders/nursery etc and I expect they may do one day. It goes away on its own after between 3-18m (ie most go away after 3 months but almost noone still has any at 18months). Just have to wait for the body to recognise the sneaky little virus and deal with it.

Just realised that there is a type of eczema that does look a bit like molluscum (am a GP so to me they look totally different but just realised they could look similar if you didn't know what you are looking at).

Pompholx eczema

Some pictures

Look very different

pomphlox have a watery filling though, don;t they, while molluscum have a whote cheesy filling

I'm a bit you would make such a big deal about molluscum. My precious DD2 in on her third bout, fortunately no one considers excluding her from school for it. (And I have been to the doctors twice with it, just to be told she is unlucky.)

pointydog - yep thats right - thought you shouldn't really pop them to find out small ones you can't really see whats in them.