Molluscum Contagiosum: What It Is, How It Spreads, and Real Treatment Options

If you’ve seen small, round, pearly bumps on your child’s skin-or maybe even on your own-and wondered what they are, you’re not alone. These aren’t acne, not allergies, and not just a rash. They’re molluscum contagiosum, a common viral skin infection that shows up as tiny, painless bumps with a dimple in the center. It’s harmless in most cases, but it’s contagious, it can stick around for months, and it causes real stress for parents and adults alike.

What Molluscum Contagiosum Actually Looks Like

The bumps are usually 2 to 6 millimeters across-about the size of a pencil eraser. They’re smooth, firm, and often look like they’ve been polished. Their most telling feature? A tiny dent or dot right in the middle. That’s called an umbilication, and it’s the key thing doctors look for to tell molluscum apart from warts or other skin issues.

The color can vary: skin-toned, pink, or slightly white. In kids, they show up mostly on the face, neck, armpits, arms, or hands. In adults, they’re more likely to appear on the genitals, inner thighs, or lower abdomen-usually from sexual contact. People with eczema are more prone to getting them, and the bumps can spread faster and get bigger if their skin is already irritated.

They don’t hurt. They don’t itch much-at least not at first. But if your child starts scratching, that’s when things get messy. Scratching spreads the virus to other parts of the body, and it can lead to bacterial infections. One study found scratching triples the number of bumps in just a few weeks.

How It Spreads-and How Not to Spread It

The virus that causes molluscum, called MCV, is easy to pass around. It doesn’t need blood or bodily fluids. Just skin-to-skin contact is enough. That’s why it’s so common in daycare centers and schools. One kid with molluscum can infect others by sharing towels, toys, or even pool noodles.

It can also spread in water. Swimming pools, hot tubs, and even bathwater can carry the virus if someone with molluscum has been in it. That’s why some pools require kids with visible bumps to stay out-but the CDC updated its stance in 2023 to say that’s unnecessary. You don’t need to keep your child out of school or swimming just because they have these bumps.

The incubation period is 2 to 6 weeks. So if your child got exposed at a birthday party, you might not see anything for over a month. That makes it hard to trace. And once it’s there, it can keep spreading for months. In healthy kids, the bumps usually go away on their own in 6 to 18 months. But sometimes they hang around for up to 4 years.

How It’s Different from Other Skin Problems

It’s easy to mistake molluscum for something else. Here’s how to tell:

• Warts (from HPV) are rough, raised, and don’t have that central dimple. They’re usually thicker and more stubborn.
• Herpes blisters are painful, fluid-filled, and come in clusters. Molluscum is painless and solid.
• Chickenpox causes lots of itchy, fluid-filled blisters all over the body-not just a few discrete bumps.
• Impetigo is bacterial, oozes, and crusts over. Molluscum stays dry and firm.

A dermatologist can confirm it with a magnifying tool called a dermatoscope. In rare cases, they might take a tiny sample, but most of the time, it’s just a visual diagnosis.

Do You Need to Treat It?

This is the big question. And the answer, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, is usually: no.

For healthy children and adults, the best treatment is often no treatment. The bumps will go away on their own. Trying to remove them can cause pain, scarring, or even make the infection spread. One 2021 study found that 92% of cases cleared up within 18 months without any intervention.

But there are exceptions. If the bumps are on the face, genitals, or are causing emotional distress-like teasing at school or anxiety about dating-then treatment makes sense. The Cochrane Review looked at 27 studies and found that cantharidin (a blistering agent applied by a doctor) had the highest success rate: 73% of patients cleared up after 12 weeks. That’s way better than placebo, which only worked 25% of the time.

Other options include:

• Cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen): Fast, but painful. Can leave scars, especially on kids’ delicate skin.
• Topical creams: Potassium hydroxide (5-10%) is popular. One product called MolluDab got 63% positive reviews on Amazon for clearing bumps in under 8 weeks. But it’s not FDA-approved, so results vary.
• Laser therapy: Used for stubborn cases. Expensive and usually not needed.

Many parents report that dermatologists push for aggressive treatments like freezing or scraping-especially in the U.S. But in the UK and Europe, doctors almost always wait it out. A 2022 study found 92% of UK pediatric cases were left untreated.

What Works Best for Kids with Eczema

If your child has eczema and gets molluscum, things get trickier. Studies show they’re 30% more likely to get the infection, and the bumps spread faster. The eczema makes the skin barrier weak, so the virus slips in easier.

Managing both at once means:

• Keeping eczema under control with moisturizers and gentle steroids (as prescribed)
• Avoiding harsh scrubs or treatments that irritate the skin
• Using topical treatments that are soothing, not abrasive

The National Eczema Association found that 68% of kids with both conditions had worse itching and faster spread. So treating the eczema first often helps molluscum clear faster too.

What to Avoid

There’s a lot of bad advice out there. Don’t:

• Try to pop or squeeze the bumps. That spreads the virus and can cause scarring.
• Use apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, or duct tape. There’s no solid evidence they work, and they can irritate the skin.
• Let your child share towels, bath toys, or clothing with others.
• Delay treatment if you’re immunocompromised. In people with HIV or other immune disorders, molluscum can become widespread, large, and persistent. It’s not just a cosmetic issue-it can be a sign your immune system needs attention.

Real Stories, Real Stress

Online forums are full of people sharing their experiences. On Reddit, one man described how genital molluscum made him avoid dating for 14 months. He felt ashamed, even though it was harmless. Another parent said her daughter was bullied at school because of bumps on her neck. She finally got treatment after months of anxiety.

But there are also stories of relief. One mom said she just covered the bumps with band-aids, kept the skin moisturized, and waited. The bumps disappeared in 10 months. No pain, no scars, no stress.

What’s New in 2026

A new topical cream is in phase 2 trials. It works by boosting the skin’s immune response instead of killing the virus. Early results show 82% clearance in 12 weeks-much better than older options. It’s not available yet, but it could be a game-changer for kids and adults who don’t want to wait.

Also, the CDC now clearly says: Don’t exclude kids from school or swimming because of molluscum. That’s a big shift from a few years ago. The virus spreads too easily to control that way, and the emotional toll isn’t worth it.

When to See a Doctor

You don’t need to rush to the clinic for every bump. But see a dermatologist if:

• The bumps are growing quickly or spreading all over
• They’re on the genitals and you’re sexually active
• Your child has eczema and the bumps aren’t improving
• You have a weakened immune system
• The bumps become red, swollen, or ooze pus (sign of infection)

Most cases don’t need a doctor. But if you’re unsure, it’s always better to get it checked.

Bottom Line: Patience, Not Panic

Molluscum contagiosum isn’t dangerous. It’s not a sign of poor hygiene. It’s just a common virus that likes warm, humid skin. In most cases, it fades on its own. The key is to avoid scratching, avoid sharing towels, and give it time.

If you’re tempted to treat it aggressively-think again. The cure can be worse than the disease. For most people, the best treatment is calm, consistent care. And patience.