Molluscum contagiosum is a kind of wart that is relatively common in children. Instead of causing one to a few large, rough, unattractive warts, molluscum appears as clusters of tiny, shiny warts. They are benign and usually go away on their own without any treatment. The disease has increased dramatically over the past few decades.
What are the symptoms?
- Small, shiny, round, smooth papules. There may be a dimple in the middle.
- Some may have a white, cheesy substance in the middle. The white substance is contagious.
- They usually appear in clusters and spread. They are most common on the face, armpits and sides, neck and thighs.
- Some lesions may turn red, which usually means it will go away in several weeks.
- They usually go away in 6-24 months, with an average duration of 6-9 months.
What causes molluscum?
Molluscum is caused by a virus. Whereas regular warts are caused by a human papillomavirus, molluscum is caused by a poxvirus. The infection can spread from person to person, and can spread on a person’s body. The incubation period is usually about 2 weeks.
What should I expect?
It starts with one or several of the small bumps. It often spreads to surrounding skin, and may appear elsewhere on the body as well. They do not usually itch or hurt, although sometimes a bump is in a spot where it can get irritated. They usually go away without any treatment in 6 months to 2 years.
How is it treated?
- It does not usually require any treatment; it benign and will eventually go away. Some of the treatments are worse than the infection itself; some can lead to side effects including pain and scarring. Sometimes severe cases need to be treated, or cases where a lesion is getting irritated or causing problems.
- Sometimes an acne medication (a retinoid) is effective and can be tried if desired.
- Lesions can be treated like a wart, with freezing, scraping or chemical treatments by a dermatologist.
- Lesions can also be treated with immune-modulating therapy used for genital warts.
What complications should I look for?
- Sometimes lesions can become so irritated that they get infected, with redness, swelling and drainage.
- The surrounding skin can develop an itching, scaly rash.
How can I prevent my child from developing molluscum?
The infection spreads from person to person and on a child’s body. In particular, the white cheesy substance is very contagious. Children should avoid sharing baths and towels and unwashed clothes with infected children. Children should avoid picking at their lesions and spreading the infection to other parts of their bodies.
When can my child return to school or daycare?
Your child can attend school or daycare with molluscum.
When should I seek further care?
- If lesions are spreading over the child’s whole body.
- If a lesion looks red, swollen and infected.
- The bumps are itching or bothering your child.