Molluscum are small raised growths that have a smooth, waxy surface
Viral infection of the skin
Call or Return If
Your child continues to pick at the molluscum
New molluscum develop after 2 weeks of treatment
Molluscum are still present after 12 weeks of treatment
You think your child needs to be seen
About This Topic
Symptoms
Small bumps with a waxy or pearl-colored, smooth surface
May have a dimple (indent) in center
Bumps are firm with a core of white material.
Are many different sizes, from pinhead to 1/4 inch (3 to 6 mm) across
Can occur anywhere on the body, but usually stay in just one area
Are sometimes itchy, but not painful
Usually age 2 to 12 years
Most infected children get 5 to 10 molluscum
Cause
Molluscum is caused by a poxvirus. This is a different virus than the one that causes warts.
Friction or picking at them causes them to increase in number.
To Treat or Not to Treat?
Some doctors advise not treating molluscum if there are only a few. Reason: Molluscum are harmless, painless, and have a natural tendency to heal and disappear.
Special treatment of molluscum is considered for the reasons below:
Your child picks at them
They are in areas of friction (for example, the armpit)
They are spreading rapidly OR
You feel they are a cosmetic problem
Prevention of Spread to Others
Avoid baths or hot tubs with other children. Reason: Molluscum can spread in warm water.
Also, avoid sharing washcloths or towels.
Contact sports: Molluscum can spread to other team members. Molluscum should be covered or treated.
Time it takes to get them: 4 to 8 weeks after close contact
After Care Advice
Overview:
Molluscum are harmless and painless.
Wart-removing acids are not helpful.
Duct tape treatment will make them go away faster.
Here is some care advice that should help.
Duct Tape - Cover the Molluscum:
Covering molluscum with duct tape can irritate them. This turns on the body's immune system.
Cover as many of the molluscum as possible. (Cover at least 3 of them.)
The covered molluscum become red and start to die. When this happens, often ALL molluscum will go away.
Try to keep the molluscum covered all the time.
Remove the tape once per day, usually before bathing. Then replace it after bathing.
Some children don't like the tape on at school. At the very least, tape it every night.
Prevention of Spread to Other Areas of Your Child's Body:
Discourage your child from picking at the molluscum.
Picking it and scratching a new area with the same finger can spread molluscum. A new molluscum can form in 1 to 2 months.
Chewing or sucking on them can lead to similar bumps on the face.
If your child is doing this, cover the molluscum with a Band-Aid.
Keep your child's fingernails cut short and wash your child's hands more often.
What to Expect:
Without treatment, molluscum go away in 6 to 18 months.
If covered with duct tape, they may go away in 2 or 3 months.
If picked at often, molluscum can become infected with bacteria. If this happens, they change into crusty sores (impetigo).
Return to School:
Your child doesn't have to miss any child care or school.
There is a mild risk of spread to others.
Author:Barton Schmitt MD, FAAP Copyright
Disclaimer:This health information is for educational purposes only. You the reader assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.
