Molluscum Contagiosum: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Molluscum is contagious, as the full name implies, so you (or your infected child) should be careful not to share towels, clothes, or bed linen. The jury is out on whether you can visit swimming pools, but if you do want to go to the pool, it's advised that all visible lesions are covered with watertight bandages, and these are disposed of afterward.

Molluscum contagiosum usually goes away on its own without treatment, although the bumps may take 6–12 months or longer to disappear. If the bumps are bothersome or spreading, your healthcare provider may recommend treatment. Prescription options include Ycanth (cantharidin 0.7%), which is applied by a healthcare professional to adults and children aged 2 years and older, or Zelsuvmi (berdazimer 10.3%) gel, which can be applied at home as directed for adults and children aged 1 year and older. Treatment may help clear the bumps more quickly, but results vary.

Other treatments for particularly itchy or bothersome bumps include using an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine or another antihistamine that should relieve itching and irritation. Try to avoid scratching the bumps, as this can lead to weepy wounds that could spread the infection further, or lead to infection.

In addition, a good skin cleaning solution such as Hibiclens may also help to prevent infection and keep secondary bacterial infections at bay.

You are fit for work if you have molluscum (and your child is fit for school).

See your doctor if one particular molluscum becomes sore and red, as this may have become infected by bacteria.

Otherwise, you could leave these spots alone, and they will clear up within a few months, or you can purchase a product from a pharmacy to speed up clearance.