Medical Services

Molluscum Contagiosum

Is it Molluscum Contagiosum?

It might sound like a spell from Harry Potter, but it’s not.

Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection that causes small pearly or flesh-colored bumps. The bumps may be clear, and the center often is indented. The infection is caused by a virus. The virus is easily spread but is not harmful.

Causes of Molluscum Contagiosum

The bumps are round with a dimple in the center. They are a little smaller in size than the eraser on the end of a pencil. The bumps don’t cause pain. They may appear alone or in groups. They most often appear on the trunk, face, eyelids, or genital area. The bumps may become inflamed and turn red as your body fights the virus.

People who have a weakened immune system may have dozens of larger bumps. These may need special treatment.

Molluscum Contagiosum Transmission

The virus commonly spreads through skin-to-skin contact. This includes sexual contact or touching the bumps and then touching the skin. Touching an object that has the virus on it, such as a towel, also can spread the infection. The virus can spread from one part of the body to another. Or it can spread to other people, such as among children at day care or school. The infection is contagious until the bumps are gone.

The time from exposure to the virus until the bumps appear usually is 2 to 7 weeks, but it can take up to 6 months.¹

To prevent molluscum contagiosum from spreading:

Try not to scratch.
Put a piece of tape or a bandage over the bumps.
Do not share towels or washcloths.
If the bumps are on your face, don’t shave.
If the bumps are in your genital area, avoid sexual contact.

Diagnoses & Treatment of Molluscum Contagiosum

Your doctor will do a physical exam and may take a sample of the bumps for testing. If you have bumps in your genital area, your doctor may check for other sexually transmitted diseases, such as genital herpes.

Healthy people may not need treatment for molluscum contagiosum, because the bumps usually go away on their own in 2 to 4 months. Some people choose to remove the bumps because they don’t like how the bumps look or they don’t want to spread the virus to other people. Doctors usually recommend treatment for bumps in the genital area to prevent them from spreading.

If you need treatment, your choices may include:

Freezing the bumps, called cryotherapy or cryosurgery.
Scraping off the bumps, called curettage.
Putting a chemical on the bumps, like cantharidin or potassium hydrochloride.
Using liquids or creams, such as those used to treat warts.

Children may not need treatment because molluscum contagiosum usually goes away on its own. But if your child needs treatment, talk to your child’s doctor about how to prevent pain and scarring.

Who gets molluscum contagiosum?

Molluscum contagiosum is most common in children, especially those younger than age 12. In teens and young adults, it usually is a sexually transmitted disease. But wrestlers, swimmers, gymnasts, massage therapists, and people who use steam rooms and saunas also can get it.

Molluscum contagiosum is more common in warm, humid climates with crowded living conditions.

FAQ Molluscum Contagiosum

How long does molluscum contagiosum last if left untreated?

Molluscum contagiosum is self-limiting, meaning it will eventually resolve on its own. According to the CDC, lesions typically disappear within 6 to 12 months, though they can take as long as 4 years to fully resolve. The Mayo Clinic notes that the bumps may also recur after healing, since reinfection is possible. During the active infection, the virus remains contagious, which is a primary reason many patients and parents opt for treatment rather than waiting.

Can adults get molluscum contagiosum?

Yes. While molluscum contagiosum is most common in children, the CDC notes that adult infections frequently result from sexual contact, and anyone with a weakened immune system is at higher risk for more extensive outbreaks. Adults who participate in contact sports, use steam rooms, or work in close physical proximity to others are also susceptible. In immunocompromised individuals, the bumps may be larger, more numerous, and more resistant to treatment.

Does treating molluscum contagiosum cause scarring?

Scarring is possible with some treatment methods, but it is generally minimal when procedures are performed by a dermatologist. The Mayo Clinic notes that some procedures can cause scarring and that a provider may numb the area first to reduce discomfort. Conversely, the CDC reports that lesions left alone usually resolve without scarring. Your dermatologist will help you weigh the tradeoffs between treatment and watchful waiting based on the number, location, and spread risk of the bumps.