Umbilicated lesions

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In dermatology an umbilicated lesion is a skin nodule with a central depression (usually occurring multiply as part of a rash). The appearance is very characteristic and in combination with a detailed patient history, frequently allows a physician to make a diagnosis.

In developed countries, the most common cause of umbilicated lesions is the virus molluscum contagiosum, which causes a facial rash in children, or a whole body rash in immunocompromised patients. In Southeast Asia, HIV patients with a rash consisting of umbilicated lesions should be presumed to have Penicillium marneffei. Rare causes of umbilicated lesions include small pox and monkey pox (which is endemic to West Africa).