Illness & Symptoms

Molluscum

Is this your child's symptom?

  • Small raised growths that have a smooth, waxy surface
  • The medical name is molluscum contagiosum
  • Viral infection of the skin
  • A doctor has told you your child has molluscum or
  • Your child has had close contact with another person who has it

Symptoms of Molluscum

  • Small bumps with a skin-colored, smooth surface
  • Most have a tiny dimple (indent) in center
  • Bumps are firm with a core of white material.
  • Are many different sizes, from pinhead to ¼ inch (3 to 6 mm) across
  • Can occur anywhere on the body, but usually stay in just one area
  • Are sometimes itchy, but not painful
  • Usually age 2 to 12 years
  • Most infected children get 5 to 10 of them

Cause of Molluscum

  • They are caused by a poxvirus. This is a different virus than the one that causes warts.
  • Friction or picking at them causes them to increase in number.

To Treat or Not to Treat?

  • Some doctors advise not treating them if there are only a few. Reason: They are harmless and painless.
  • They have a natural tendency to heal and go away on their own.

When Special Treatment is Considered

  • Your child picks at them
  • They are in areas of friction (for example, the armpit)
  • They are spreading quickly or
  • You feel they are a cosmetic problem

Prevent Spread to Others

  • Avoid baths or hot tubs with other children. Reason: can spread in warm water.
  • Also, avoid sharing washcloths or towels.
  • Contact sports: can spread to other team members. They should be covered or treated.
  • Time it takes to get them: 4 to 8 weeks after close contact.

When to Call for Molluscum

When to Call for Molluscum

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

  • Redness or red streak spreading from molluscum with fever
  • Your child looks or acts very sick

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

  • Redness or red streak spreading from molluscum without fever
  • You think your child needs to be seen

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

  • Molluscum on the face
  • 4 or more molluscum
  • Your child can't stop picking at the molluscum
  • Pus is draining from the molluscum. Apply antibiotic ointment 3 times per day until seen.
  • On treatment more than 2 weeks and new molluscum appear
  • On treatment more than 12 weeks and molluscum not gone
  • You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

  • Molluscum: 3 or less

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

  • Redness or red streak spreading from molluscum with fever
  • Your child looks or acts very sick

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

  • Redness or red streak spreading from molluscum without fever
  • You think your child needs to be seen

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

  • Molluscum on the face
  • 4 or more molluscum
  • Your child can't stop picking at the molluscum
  • Pus is draining from the molluscum. Apply antibiotic ointment 3 times per day until seen.
  • On treatment more than 2 weeks and new molluscum appear
  • On treatment more than 12 weeks and molluscum not gone
  • You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

  • Molluscum: 3 or less

Care Advice for Molluscum

What You Should Know About Molluscum:

  • They are harmless and painless.
  • Most will go away on their own in 6 to 12 months.
  • Duct tape treatment will make them go away faster.
  • Wart-removing acids are not helpful.
  • Here is some care advice that should help.

Duct Tape - Cover the Molluscum:

  • Covering them with duct tape can irritate them. This turns on the body's immune system.
  • Cover as many of them as possible. Cover at least 3 of them.
  • The covered ones become red and start to die. When this happens, often all of them will go away.
  • Try to keep them covered all the time.
  • Remove the tape once per day, usually before bathing. Then replace it after bathing.
  • Some children don't like the tape on at school. At the very least, tape it every night.

Prevent the Spread to Other Areas of Your Child's Body:

  • Discourage your child from picking at them.
  • Picking it and scratching a new area with the same finger can spread them. A new one can form in 1 to 2 months.
  • Chewing or sucking on them can lead to similar bumps on the face.
  • If your child is doing this, cover them. You can use a bandage.
  • Keep your child's fingernails cut short and wash your child's hands more often.

What to Expect:

  • Without treatment, they go away in 6 to 18 months.
  • If covered with duct tape, they may go away in 2 or 3 months.
  • If picked at often, they can become infected with bacteria. If this happens, they change into crusty sores (impetigo).

Return to School:

  • Your child doesn't have to miss any child care or school.
  • There is a mild risk of spread to others.

Call Your Doctor If:

  • Your child continues to pick at them
  • New ones develop after 2 weeks of treatment
  • They are still present after 12 weeks of treatment
  • You think your child needs to be seen

    • Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.

    Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

Copyright 2000-2025 Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.

Reviewed: 5/1/2025 Updated: 1/25/2025