Molluscum Contagiosum: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Molluscum Contagiosum?
A dermatologist, a skin doctor, usually diagnoses and treats molluscum contagiosum. A pediatrician, a children's doctor, often sees it first in kids. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is molluscum contagiosum?
Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin infection that causes raised, pearl-like bumps on the skin. A poxvirus, a type of virus, causes it. It is very common in the United States. It mostly occurs in kids ages 1 to 10, but you can get it at any age.
Symptoms
Molluscum causes small, raised bumps. The bumps are about the size of a pinhead to a pencil eraser.
- They usually look white, pink, or the same color as your skin.
- They feel firm, sometimes with a dip in the center.
- They can appear anywhere on the body, but rarely on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet.
The bumps tend to be painless, but they can itch. They may also become sore, red, or swollen. In adults, the bumps are commonly seen on the genitals, abdomen, and inner thigh. The bumps typically go away in six months to a year, but they can take longer. They usually do not leave scars.
Causes and who gets it
You can get molluscum if you touch someone who has it. It can also spread through items that have the virus on them, such as towels, clothing, toys, or pool equipment. If you have molluscum, you can spread it to other areas of your body by touching or scratching the sores or shaving over them. Molluscum can also spread through sex, and many infections in adults occur this way. You can catch it more than once.
Your risk is higher if you have eczema, a skin condition that causes dry, itchy skin. Your risk is also higher if you have a weakened immune system, such as from HIV or cancer. People with a weakened immune system or severe eczema may have a rapidly spreading case.
You can spread molluscum until all the bumps go away. To lower the chance of spreading it, wash your hands often and do not share towels or clothes. Cover the bumps with clothing or a bandage.
How doctors diagnose it
Your health care provider will look at your skin and ask about your symptoms. Diagnosis is based on how the bump looks. A dermatologist can often diagnose molluscum by looking at the bumps. If needed, a provider can remove one bump and check it under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis. Early bumps on the genitals may be mistaken for herpes or warts, but unlike herpes, they are painless.
Treatment
Healthy people usually recover from molluscum without treatment, so treatment is usually not needed. Treatment may be recommended if the bumps are painful, itchy, or infected with bacteria. It can also help when a child is likely to spread molluscum to other children or has eczema. Schools or daycare centers may ask parents to get a child treated to prevent spreading the infection.
A provider can remove single bumps by scraping, freezing, or laser treatment. Removing bumps may sometimes cause scarring. Medicines, such as salicylic acid products used to remove warts, may help. Cantharidin is the most common solution used to treat the bumps in a provider's office. Tretinoin cream or imiquimod cream may also be prescribed. Some treatments sold on the internet may not work and may be harmful.
When to see a doctor
See a provider if you have a skin problem that looks like molluscum, or if the bumps last, spread, or new symptoms appear. If you have sores around your genitals (penis, vulva, vagina, or anus), treatment is usually recommended, so see a provider as soon as you can. Scratching or picking can let bacteria infect the bumps. If this happens, the bumps can feel painful and you may develop a fever. A bacterial infection can be serious for people with a weakened immune system and may need treatment. Call 911 or go to the emergency room for chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more, severe trouble breathing, fainting, or sudden confusion or trouble waking up.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care doctor can do an evaluation, follow your progress at later visits, and refer you to a dermatologist when needed.
Common questions
Is molluscum contagiosum contagious?
Yes, molluscum contagiosum is contagious. It spreads by touching someone who has it or items with the virus on them. You can spread it until all the bumps go away.
Does molluscum contagiosum go away on its own?
Yes, in healthy people it usually goes away without treatment. The bumps typically go away in six months to a year, but they can take longer. It may last longer in people with a weakened immune system.
Is molluscum contagiosum an STD?
Not always, but it can spread through sex. Many infections in adults occur this way. In children, it often spreads when a child touches a bump or an object that has the virus on it.
Does scratching molluscum bumps make it worse?
Yes, scratching, rubbing, or picking at the bumps can spread the virus to other parts of your body. It can also let bacteria infect the bumps.
Sources
- CDC - About Molluscum Contagiosum
- American Academy of Dermatology - Molluscum contagiosum: Overview
- MedlinePlus - Molluscum contagiosum
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
