Patient education: Molluscum contagiosum (The Basics)

What is molluscum contagiosum? — 

This is a skin infection caused by a virus. It causes small bumps to form on the skin.

Molluscum contagiosum is common, especially in children.

What are the symptoms of molluscum contagiosum? — 

People with molluscum contagiosum get small bumps on their skin. The bumps:

●Are usually similar in color to the rest of the skin (picture 1 and picture 2)

●Might have a small dent in the center

●Often appear in a group

●Can be anywhere on the skin, except the palms of the hands and soles of the feet

●Do not hurt

●Might itch

Sometimes, the skin around the bumps can look red or scaly.

The bumps usually go away on their own, but it can take weeks or even months. Sometimes, the bumps become red, swollen, or inflamed before they heal.

How does molluscum contagiosum spread? — 

The virus can spread through:

●Skin-to-skin contact – You can get the infection if your skin touches another person's bumps. If you already have the infection, you can also spread it to other areas of your skin. This can happen if you touch or scratch the bumps.

●Sexual contact – If molluscum contagiosum is in your genital area, you can spread it to partners through sexual activity.

●Objects – The virus can live on surfaces. A person with the infection can spread it to others if they share towels, clothing, or other items that touched their bumps.

If you get the virus, it can take weeks to months for the bumps to appear.

Will I need tests? — 

Probably not. Your doctor or nurse can often tell if you have the infection by looking at your skin. If they think that your symptoms could be caused by something else, they might do tests.

How is molluscum contagiosum treated? — 

Most of the time, treatment is not needed, since the bumps go away on their own. But sometimes, doctors do recommend treatment to remove the bumps.

You might get treatment if: you have

●Bumps in your genital area

●A weak immune system (for example, if you have HIV infection or take certain medicines)

Some people also choose to get treatment because they don't like how the bumps look, or they want to avoid spreading the infection to other people.

If you do choose treatment, your doctor will talk to you about your options. They can remove the bumps by freezing them or using a special tool to scrape them off. Or they can give you medicine to put on your skin. All of these treatments can have side effects like pain, scarring, or changes in skin color.

Do not pick or squeeze the bumps or try to remove them yourself. This can spread the bumps or lead to a bacterial infection.

How can I prevent spreading molluscum contagiosum? — 

If you have the infection, you can lower the risk of spreading it if you:

●Do not touch or scratch your bumps.

●Do not shave the skin where you have the bumps.

●Do not share towels, washcloths, or sports equipment with other people.

●Cover the bumps if you will be in contact with other people, for example, during sports.

●Wash your hands often.

You do not need to stay home from school or work while you have the infection.

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call your doctor or nurse for advice if you have:

●New bumps on your genitals

●Signs of a new infection, like fever or skin pain, redness, or swelling

More on this topic

Patient education: Molluscum contagiosum (Beyond the Basics)