What it is
Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection caused by a virus. It usually shows up as small, smooth, firm bumps that can be skin-colored, pink, or pearly. Some have a tiny dimple in the center. The bumps are often painless, though they can sometimes itch or become red and irritated.
It spreads through skin-to-skin contact and by sharing items like towels, clothing, or toys. Children are often affected, and it can also appear in teens and adults. Because it is a different virus from the one that causes common warts, it is a separate condition even though the two get grouped together online.
Only an exam by a licensed clinician, such as a pediatrician, dermatologist, or primary care provider, can tell whether a bump is molluscum. Other skin conditions can look alike. Any growth that is changing, bleeding, itching, irregular in shape or color, or not healing should be checked by a dermatologist for skin cancer. Please do not self-treat it.
How it’s traditionally been approached
Molluscum has traditionally been approached in more than one way. Many clinicians discuss watchful waiting, which means monitoring the bumps over time and seeing whether the body clears them on its own. This can take a while, and the timeline varies from person to person.
When a provider and family decide to treat, the options discussed may include in-office procedures, prescription topical medicines, or other approaches. Which one fits depends on the person's age, how many bumps there are, where they are, and how comfortable the child is with the process. Only a licensed clinician decides what is appropriate after an evaluation.
Some prescription products used for molluscum are regulated differently from one another. Their FDA status can change, so ask your provider about the current status of any specific product they suggest. Results vary, and bumps can return or new ones can appear, whichever approach is chosen.
How the right provider may help
The right provider may help by confirming what the bumps are, so you are not guessing. A visit usually starts with questions about when the bumps appeared, whether they itch or hurt, and any other health history. The provider then looks closely at the skin. For children, many clinicians take a calm, gentle approach and explain each step in simple words.
A provider may also talk through the pros and cons of watching and waiting versus treating. This can include how the bumps might affect comfort, scratching, sleep, school, or sports. They may also discuss how to lower the chance of spreading the bumps to others at home.
Questions you might ask: Are you sure this is molluscum? Is watchful waiting reasonable for my child? What are the options, and what might they feel like? What should I watch for, such as redness, swelling, or drainage? What is the current FDA status of any prescription product you recommend? When should we come back?
The whole-person view
Skin concerns can affect the whole person. Visible bumps can make a child feel self-conscious or worried about teasing, and parents may feel anxious or unsure what to do. Stress, sleep, and overall health can also affect how a person feels day to day. Body and mind influence each other.
Gentle, supportive conversation can help. Body-based support, such as the approaches listed through Somatic Experiences, may help some people feel more settled, and talk therapy through Therapists.plus may help children or parents work through worry or embarrassment. These are optional supports that sit alongside care from a licensed medical provider, not replacements for it.
Somatic Experiences: nervous system regulation →Therapists.plus: anxiety panic and ocd →
Keep in mind
- Educational only: Warts.ai is not medical advice, and this page cannot diagnose you or your child. Have a licensed clinician, such as a pediatrician, dermatologist, or primary care provider, examine any bumps.
- A growth that is changing, bleeding, itching, irregular in shape or color, or not healing should be checked by a dermatologist for skin cancer. Do not self-treat it.
- Never cut, burn, pick, or dig out bumps at home. Over-the-counter wart products are not made for molluscum, and they should not be used on the face or genital area. People with diabetes, poor circulation, neuropathy, or a weakened immune system should ask a provider before treating skin growths at home.
- No treatment is guaranteed to clear molluscum or keep it from coming back. For emergencies call 911, and in a crisis call or text 988.
Often seen in children; pediatricians and pediatric dermatologists commonly manage it.
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Frequently asked questions
What is molluscum contagiosum?
Molluscum contagiosum is a common viral skin infection that causes small, painless, raised bumps. It is often seen in children but can affect anyone. A licensed clinician can confirm it with an exam.
Is molluscum contagiosum the same as a wart?
No, it is not a true wart. It is caused by a different virus than common warts, though the bumps can look similar, which is why people often search for wart removal when they find them. A clinician can tell the two apart.
Do I need wart removal for molluscum in my child?
Not always. Many clinicians discuss watchful waiting, since molluscum may clear on its own over time, and the timeline varies. Whether to wait or treat is a decision for you and your child's provider after an exam.
What are the small bumps on my child's skin?
Small bumps in children can have many causes, and molluscum is one of them. Only a pediatrician, dermatologist, or other licensed clinician can say what they are. Any bump that is changing, bleeding, or not healing should be checked.
Can I use over-the-counter wart products on molluscum?
Check with a provider first. Over-the-counter wart products are made for common warts, not molluscum, and they should not be used on the face or genital area. They can irritate a child's skin, so ask a clinician what is appropriate.
Is molluscum contagious, and can it come back?
Yes, it can spread through skin-to-skin contact and shared items such as towels. It can also return or show up in new spots after the bumps clear. A provider can explain ways to lower the chance of spreading it at home.
Educational resource. Warts.ai shares general information and connects people with independent providers. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk with a licensed professional about your health.