Molluscum contagiosum: information for patients

A clear guide to recognizing molluscum contagiosum, reducing its transmission, and knowing when to treat it.

Summary in 60 seconds

• Molluscum contagiosum is a superficial viral infection of the skin.
• It usually produces small, rounded, shiny, skin-colored, pink or brown grains with a central dimple or depression.
• It is common in children, although it can also appear in adults.
• It is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact and sometimes through shared objects such as towels or clothing.
• In healthy people it is usually mild and may disappear without treatment.
• It can last for months; in some cases, more than a year.
• Scratching, squeezing, or shaving the area can spread the lesions.
• Lesions on the genitals, eyelids, large areas of the face, or in immunocompromised individuals warrant medical evaluation.
• The dermatologist can confirm the diagnosis and decide between observation or treatment.
• Not all treatments are the same: some can cause irritation or leave marks.

What is molluscum contagiosum?

Molluscum contagiosum is a benign viral skin infection caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus, a virus in the Poxviridae family. It affects the outermost layer of skin and produces small, raised lesions known as papules. It is not the same as a common wart, as warts are usually associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV), while molluscum contagiosum belongs to a different viral group. Meza-Romero 2019

In most healthy individuals, the condition is limited and tends to resolve on its own over time. This does not mean it should be ignored: it is important to recognize it, avoid aggressive measures, and consult a doctor if there are any concerns, lesions appear in sensitive areas, or signs of complications arise. The CDC notes that healthy individuals usually recover without treatment, although it recommends evaluation when lesions appear on the genitals. CDC 2025

Why does it appear?

It appears through contact with the virus. Transmission can occur through direct skin-to-skin contact , self-inoculation by scratching and touching another area, or by sharing objects such as towels, clothing, sponges, or bedding. In adults, when lesions are in the genital area, lower abdomen, groin, or anal region, it can be transmitted through intimate or sexual contact. BAD 2025

Molluscum contagiosum is more common in children and is more easily seen in people with dry skin or atopic eczema , because an altered skin barrier facilitates viral entry and scratching helps spread it. It can also be more extensive, persistent, or atypical in people with weakened immune systems, uncontrolled HIV, organ transplants, or those undergoing immunosuppressive treatments. BAD 2025

What does it look like and what symptoms does it cause?

Typically, they are small, rounded, firm papules with a smooth or shiny surface, skin-colored, pink, or brown depending on skin tone. Many have a central dimple , like a small depression. They can appear singly or in clusters, and in children, they are commonly seen on the trunk, arms, armpits, thighs, skin folds, or face. BAD 2025

They are usually painless. They may itch, become inflamed, or be surrounded by a dry, reddish, eczema-like area, sometimes called molluscum-associated dermatitis. In some cases, a reddened lesion does not necessarily indicate a bacterial infection; it can also be a sign of an immune response. However, significant pain, localized heat, pus, extensive yellow crusting, or fever do require evaluation. DermNet 2023

What can you do today?

The first safe step is to avoid touching the lesions . Do not squeeze, puncture, or try to remove the white central material at home, as this can spread the virus and lead to secondary infection. The CDC recommends against self-removal of lesions and warns that some products sold online may not be effective and could cause harm. CDC 2025

It also helps to maintain a skin barrier routine: gentle hygiene, daily moisturizing if the skin is dry, keeping nails short in children, avoiding scratching, and covering visible lesions when there is close contact, sports, or a risk of friction. It is not necessary to isolate a child from school or daycare for molluscum contagiosum if the lesions can be covered and there are no open wounds. CDC 2025

At home, it’s advisable to use individual towels, avoid sharing underwear or tight clothing, wash your hands frequently, and refrain from shaving the affected area. If eczema or severe itching is present, moisturizing and itch control are important; a healthcare professional may prescribe a mild topical anti-inflammatory for a few days, if appropriate.

What NOT to do?

Do not squeeze, scratch, cut, or pop pimples. The lesion may seem easy to remove, but doing so at home increases the risk of self-inoculation, scarring, bleeding, and infection.

Do not use acids, wart removers, irritating oils, viral social media remedies, or products purchased without medical guidance, especially on your face, eyelids, genitals, or skin with eczema. The American Academy of Dermatology warns that over-the-counter molluscum contagiosum products should only be used if recommended by a dermatologist, due to the risk of irritation, abrasions, and scarring. AAD 2025

Don’t automatically suspend school, social activities, or swimming. It’s preferable to cover injuries, not share towels, and avoid direct skin-to-skin contact over the injuries. Social exclusion is often more harmful than helpful when reasonable measures are in place.

When should I consult?

Consult a healthcare professional if any of these situations occur:

• Injuries to the eyelids, near the eye, or with red eye.
• Injuries to genitals, anus or intimate area.
• Pain, heat, marked swelling, pus, extensive yellow scabs, or fever.
• Lesions that grow very quickly, are very numerous, or have an atypical appearance.
• Molluscum contagiosum in a person with low immunity, HIV, transplant, chemotherapy, biologics or systemic corticosteroids.
• Intense eczema around the lesions or scratching that is difficult to control.
• Diagnostic uncertainty: lesions that resemble warts, acne, folliculitis, impetigo, or another disease.
• Significant emotional impact, shame, refusal of activities, or persistent family concern.

In children, a genital lesion does not automatically imply a sexual cause, as autoinoculation or non-sexual transmission can occur. Even so, it should be carefully evaluated, the diagnosis confirmed, and the clinical context reviewed.

What does a dermatologist usually do?

A dermatologist usually diagnoses molluscum contagiosum based on its clinical appearance. In some cases, they use dermatoscopy , a magnifying tool with light that helps identify typical patterns. If the lesion is atypical, persistent, very large, ulcerated, or the diagnosis is unclear, a biopsy may be considered, although this is not standard practice. DermNet 2023

The decision then becomes individual: to observe or to treat . Observation may be reasonable in healthy children with few lesions, no discomfort, and no areas of risk. A community study in children found a mean resolution time of 13.3 months; approximately 30% still had lesions at 18 months and 13% at 24 months, so it is advisable to discuss realistic expectations. (Olsen 2015)

Treatment may be considered if there are numerous lesions, frequent transmission within the home, inflammation, itching, lesions in visible areas, emotional distress, or a need to reduce the lesion burden. Options may include professionally applied cantharidin, cryotherapy, curettage, some topical treatments, or medications approved in certain countries. Comparative evidence does not show a universally superior treatment for all cases, and imiquimod has not demonstrated sufficient benefit in children and can be irritating. (van der Wouden 2017)

Frequently Asked Questions

Does molluscum contagiosum heal on its own?

• In many healthy people, yes. It can disappear without treatment, although the process can take months and, in some cases, more than a year. Observing doesn’t mean neglecting it: it means monitoring, avoiding scratching, and consulting a doctor if the pattern changes.

Is it dangerous?

• Generally, no. It’s a superficial skin infection and doesn’t usually affect internal organs. The main problems are transmission, scratching, irritation, secondary infection, or emotional distress.

Can my child go to school?

• Usually, yes. It is not usually necessary to exclude the child from school or daycare. It is recommended to cover visible injuries when possible, not to share towels, and to reinforce handwashing. CDC 2025

Can I go to the pool?

• You can do it if you don’t have open wounds or infected injuries. The important thing is not to share towels, to cover injuries when possible, and to shower with normal hygiene. The pool should not become a source of stigma.

Does it infect the whole family?

• It can be contagious, but not necessarily. The risk decreases if shared towels, vigorous bathing between siblings, scratching, and direct contact with the lesions are avoided. If several family members have lesions, it’s advisable to confirm the diagnosis.

Do all cases need to be treated?

• No. The decision depends on age, number of lesions, location, symptoms, underlying skin type, risk of contagion, emotional impact, and informed preferences. In cases of genital, periocular, extensive, or atypical lesions, medical consultation is most important.

Does it leave a scar?

• Molluscum contagiosum can leave small, temporary marks, especially if it becomes inflamed or scratched. Scarring is more likely when the lesions are manipulated, become infected, or are treated aggressively without supervision.

Bibliography and sources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Molluscum Contagiosum . CDC; 2025.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Clinical Overview of Molluscum Contagiosum . CDC; 2025.
• American Academy of Dermatology Association. Molluscum contagiosum: Diagnosis and treatment . AAD; 2025.
• British Association of Dermatologists. Molluscum contagiosum . Patient Information Sheetlet. BAD; 2025.
• DermNet NZ. Molluscum contagiosum: Causes and treatment . DermNet; 2023.
• van der Wouden JC, van der Sande R, Kruithof EJ, Sollie A, van Suijlekom-Smit LWA, Koning S. Interventions for cutaneous molluscum contagiosum . Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;5(5):CD004767. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004767.pub4.
• 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. doi:10.2147/CCID.S187224.
• Olsen JR, Gallacher J, Finlay AY, Piguet V, Francis NA. Time to resolution and effect on quality of life of molluscum contagiosum in children in the UK: a prospective community cohort study . Lancet Infect Dis. 2015;15(2):190-195. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(14)71053-9.
• Basdag H, Rainer BM, Cohen BA. Molluscum contagiosum: to treat or not to treat? Experience with 170 children in an outpatient clinic setting in the northeastern United States . Pediatr Dermatol. 2015;32(3):353-357. doi:10.1111/pde.12504.
• Hebert AA, Bhatia N, Del Rosso JQ. Molluscum Contagiosum: Epidemiology, Considerations, Treatment Options, and Therapeutic Gaps . J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2023;16(8 Suppl 1):S4-S11.
• US Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves first treatment for molluscum contagiosum . FDA; 2023.
• US Food and Drug Administration. ZELSUVMI prescribing information . FDA; 2024.