At a glance
- Molluscum is caused by a poxvirus and is most common in children aged 1 to 10.
- Bumps are firm, shiny, skin-colored or pink, with a small dent or dot in the center.
- Without treatment, bumps usually go away within 6 months to 2 years.
- Children do not need to stay home from school, child care or the pool.
- Do not squeeze or pick bumps; scratching spreads the virus to new skin.
- The FDA has approved only prescription treatments; store-bought molluscum products are unproven.
- Call the doctor if redness spreads around a bump, or if bumps are in the genital area.
What molluscum looks like
The bumps range from the size of a pinhead to a pencil eraser. They are smooth and round, often with a tiny pit in the middle.
They often cluster in the armpits, elbow creases and behind the knees, and can appear on the trunk, face and groin.
They may itch but rarely hurt. Bumps usually appear 2 to 6 weeks after contact with the virus.
Children with eczema get molluscum more easily, and the skin around the bumps may turn red and itchy.
How long it lasts
A healthy immune system clears the virus over time, usually within 6 months to 2 years. New bumps may keep appearing while older ones fade.
A bump that becomes sore, red or larger can be soothed with a warm, wet washcloth for 10 minutes. Healed bumps may leave tiny pits that fade.
Treatment options
| Option | How it works | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Watch and wait | The body clears the virus on its own | Most children need nothing else |
| Berdazimer gel (Zelsuvmi) | Prescription gel put on at home once a day, for up to 12 weeks | FDA approved from age 1 |
| Cantharidin (Ycanth) | Painted on in the office; a blister forms within 24 to 48 hours | FDA approved from age 2; usually needs at least two visits |
| Freezing or scraping | Done by a clinician in the office | Can hurt, so mostly used in older children |
- Doctors often suggest treatment for bumps in the genital area, for children with eczema or a weak immune system, or when bumps are very bothersome.
- Treatment can speed things up, but new bumps can still appear afterward.
- Do not buy molluscum remedies online or in stores; the FDA warns they may irritate or scar the skin.
- Never apply cantharidin bought online at home; it can cause deep chemical burns.
Waiting or treating
- No pain and no cost
- Bumps fade over months
- Can spread to other skin meanwhile
- Can clear bumps sooner
- Some methods sting or blister
- New bumps can still appear
When to call the doctor
- Seek care the same day for fever with redness spreading from a bump, or a child who seems ill.
- Call within a day if a red patch grows around a bump, or it drains pus or gets more painful.
- Book a visit for bumps in the genital or anal area.
- Also book a visit if your child has eczema that is flaring, a weak immune system, or many bumps that bother them.
- Ask the doctor if you are not sure the bumps are molluscum.
Molluscum: when to get help
- Seek care todayFever with spreading redness, or a child who seems ill.
- Call within a dayGrowing red patch around a bump, pus, or more pain.
- Book a visitGenital area, eczema flare, weak immune system, many bothersome bumps, or unsure what it is.
- Care at homeA few calm bumps: leave them alone, keep them covered and wait.
School, swimming and stopping the spread
- Children with molluscum can go to school and child care as usual.
- Cover bumps that clothing does not cover with a bandage, and change it when it gets dirty.
- For swimming, use watertight bandages and do not share towels, kickboards, goggles or toys.
- Keep a child with open, raw sores out of the pool until they close.
- Wash hands after touching bumps, keep nails short, and avoid shared baths with other children.
Common questions
Is molluscum contagiosum contagious?
Yes, mainly through skin contact and shared towels, bath toys or sports gear. Covering the bumps lowers the chance of passing it on.
Will molluscum go away without treatment?
Yes, in almost all healthy children, though it often takes many months. Treatment is a choice, not a must.
Can my child swim with molluscum?
Yes. Put waterproof bandages over visible bumps and keep towels and pool toys to themselves.
Why are the molluscum bumps red and swollen?
Redness can be eczema around the bumps or a sign the body is fighting the virus. If the red area keeps growing, or there is pus or fever, have it checked.
Can I pop or remove molluscum bumps at home?
No. Squeezing or cutting them can cause infection and spread the virus to more skin.
Sources
- AAP — Molluscum Contagiosum in Children: Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
- CDC — About Molluscum Contagiosum
- CDC — Preventing Molluscum Contagiosum in Schools, Daycares, and Pools
- AAD — Molluscum contagiosum: Diagnosis and treatment
Written for Pedemy in our own words from the sources above; checked October 2026. For education only, not medical advice. Pedemy is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by the organizations cited.