Investigation

Diagnosis is usually made on the clinical appearance alone.

Otherwise, the contents of a papule can be expressed, smeared on an slide and stained with Giemsa (1).

Other sexually transmitted diseases must be excluded (2).

Dermoscopy may facilitate diagnosis by revealing a central, poly-lobular, white-yellow, structureless area, surrounded by vessels in a crown pattern. (3)

Reference

1. Meza-Romero R, Navarrete-Dechent C, Downey C. Molluscum contagiosum: an update and review of new perspectives in etiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:373-381.
2. Fernando I, K Edwards S, Grover D. British Association for Sexual Health and HIV national guideline for the management of genital molluscum in adults (2021). Int J STD AIDS. 2022 Apr;33(5):422-32
3. Edwards S, Boffa MJ, Janier M, et al. 2020 European guideline on the management of genital molluscum contagiosum. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2021 Jan;35(1):17-26.