Molluscum contagiosum is a common skin infection caused by a poxvirus. It makes small, firm, dome-shaped bumps, and it is most common in children aged 1 to 10. The bumps are harmless and usually clear on their own within 6 to 18 months, so most kids need no treatment. Your child stays contagious until every bump is gone. Handwashing, covering the bumps and keeping towels separate lower the chance of spreading it.
This guide covers what molluscum contagiosum in kids looks like, how it spreads, which treatments exist, the rules for school and swimming, and when a provider should look at your child’s skin.
What is molluscum contagiosum in children?
Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection of the top layer of the skin. The CDC calls it very common in the United States, and children between 1 and 10 get it most often. Daycares and schools are common places for it to spread.
Kids with eczema (atopic dermatitis) catch it more easily, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Broken skin gives the virus an easier way in.
What does molluscum contagiosum look like on a child’s skin?
The bumps are small, round, shiny and usually skin-colored or pink. Most are under ¼ inch wide, and many have a tiny dent or dot in the center, as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) describes.
They show up most often on the trunk, arms and legs, but the face and groin can have them too. Clusters tend to form where skin touches skin: armpits, the fold of the elbow and behind the knees. The bumps can itch. They are not usually painful.
The bumps appear 2 to 6 weeks after the virus gets onto the skin, so you may not know where your child picked it up.
One detail worries many parents. Near the end, a bump can turn red and swollen. The AAD says this is a good sign, because the immune system is attacking the virus.
Warts, bug bites and other skin infections can look similar. Only a healthcare provider can confirm the diagnosis.
How do kids catch molluscum contagiosum?
Kids catch it through skin-to-skin contact or by touching items an infected child used. The CDC lists towels, clothing, toys and pool equipment. The AAD adds wrestling mats and kickboards.
Children also spread it across their own bodies. Scratching or picking a bump and then touching another patch of skin can start new bumps.
Pools get blamed often. The CDC says swimming-related activities, such as sharing a towel or kickboard, are the more likely cause than the water itself.
How long does molluscum contagiosum last in kids?
Most children clear molluscum contagiosum in 6 to 18 months without treatment (AAD). The AAP gives a slightly wider range of 6 months to 2 years, and some cases last longer.
Bumps keep appearing while older ones fade, which is why a child can look about the same for months. Your child is contagious until the last bump is gone.
Does molluscum contagiosum in kids need treatment?
Most healthy children do not need treatment. The AAP says the bumps usually disappear on their own, and the CDC says healthy people usually recover without it.
Treatment makes sense in a few situations:
- The bumps itch, hurt or look infected
- They sit where clothing rubs, such as the armpit
- Your child picks at them constantly
- Your child has eczema
- The bumps are spreading fast, or the family wants to limit spread to siblings and classmates
A 2026 expert consensus paper in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology lists the same reasons: discomfort, spread and the burden on the family.
What are the molluscum contagiosum treatment options for kids?
Options range from waiting to in-office procedures to a prescription gel used at home. The right choice depends on your child’s age, how many bumps there are, where they are and how well your child tolerates procedures.
| Option | Who applies it | What to know |
| Watchful waiting | You, at home | Default for healthy kids. The immune system clears the virus over time. |
| Freezing (cryotherapy) | Provider, in person | Can cause blistering and crusting. Occasionally leaves mild scarring or a color change (Children’s Health). |
| Scraping (curettage) | Provider, in person | Removes the center of the bump. Numbing cream can be used first. May leave mild scarring. |
| Cantharidin (Ycanth) | Healthcare professional | FDA-approved in July 2023 for ages 2 and up. Causes a blister on purpose. |
| Berdazimer gel (Zelsuvmi) | Parent or caregiver, at home | FDA-approved in January 2024 for ages 1 and up. Prescription only. In the trial, 32.4% of patients cleared completely at 12 weeks, compared with 19.7% on a placebo gel. |
The AAP warns that some methods hurt and can rarely cause scarring or skin color changes. Young children may find freezing and scraping frightening, which is one reason many families choose to wait.
Two rules apply to every option. The CDC advises against treating molluscum sores on your own, and the AAD advises against buying treatments online.
What can I do at home to care for my child with molluscum contagiosum?
Home care slows the spread and keeps the skin from getting infected. Follow these steps:
- Cover the bumps. Clothing works for most areas. Use a bandage on bumps that others could touch.
- Wash hands often. Do this for your child and anyone who touches the bumps.
- Keep fingernails short. Short nails cause less damage when your child scratches.
- Give your child their own towels, washcloths and clothes. Siblings should not share them.
- Discourage picking and scratching. Picking spreads the virus and can bring bacteria into the bump.
- Use a warm compress on sore bumps. The AAP suggests soaking a clean washcloth in warm water, wringing it out and holding it on the bumps for 10 minutes.
- Avoid shaving over bumps. This applies to older kids and teens.
Can a child with molluscum contagiosum go to school or swim?
Yes to school and daycare. The CDC says there is no reason to keep a child with molluscum home. Your school may ask for a provider’s note first, and only a provider can diagnose it.
Swimming is allowed if there are no open sores that could get infected (CDC). Many health departments go a step further and recommend a watertight bandage over every bump in the pool and during contact sports. Towels and kickboards should stay unshared.
When should I call a provider about molluscum contagiosum?
Call a provider if you are not sure the bumps are molluscum, or if any of the following happens:
- A spreading red patch forms around a bump (AAP)
- A bump becomes painful or your child develops a fever, which can mean a bacterial infection (AAD)
- Bumps appear near the eye
- Your child has eczema, or a weakened immune system, which can lead to larger bumps that are harder to treat
- The bumps are spreading quickly or your child cannot stop picking them
A fever with a painful, swollen bump needs same-day care.
Can molluscum contagiosum be checked through a telemedicine visit?
Often, yes, at least for a first look. Molluscum has a recognizable appearance, and the AAD notes a dermatologist can often diagnose it by looking at the bumps. A video visit lets a provider see the bumps, ask about eczema and exposure, and tell you whether it looks like molluscum or needs an in-person exam.
Telemedicine cannot do freezing, scraping or in-clinic cantharidin. Those need an office visit. A video visit can still save a trip when the answer is “this looks like molluscum, and watching it is reasonable.”
Telemedicine Alaska offers same-day video visits for infants, children and adults across Alaska, including remote communities and Anchorage. Visits are with Lynn Pura, FNP-C, who reviews symptoms, history and medications before giving treatment guidance. See the services page for what a visit covers, or book a video visit to have your child’s skin looked at.
To get more from the visit:
- Take clear photos in daylight before the call
- Note when the bumps first appeared and whether new ones are showing up
- Write down any eczema history, creams or other medicines your child uses
The short version
Molluscum contagiosum in children is common, harmless and slow. Most kids clear it within 6 to 18 months. Cover the bumps, keep towels separate and stop the picking. Treatment is optional for most healthy children. A provider should check bumps that look infected, sit near the eye or appear in a child with eczema or a weakened immune system.
