What’s Up with Molluscum?
By Daniel Krowchuk, M.D., Pediatrician and Co-Director of Pediatric Dermatology, Brenner Children’s Hospital
One of the more vexing skin problems affecting children is molluscum contagiosum. What is it and what can be done about it?
Molluscum contagiosum (“molluscum”) is a viral infection of the skin. For reasons that are not known, molluscum is becoming more common. It is spread by close physical contact (skin-to-skin) or by contaminated objects, like a towel or wash cloth. Although very controversial, there is some evidence that molluscum may be spread via swimming pools. Any child may get molluscum but those who have eczema seem to be particularly prone.
The bumps of molluscum contagiosum are small, skin-colored, and have a “pearly” appearance (see photo). There may be a dimple on the surface of some bumps, a helpful sign in identifying the condition. Some children develop a few bumps while others get many. Almost any area of the body can be affected.
At times, an area of red, irritated skin appears around molluscum bumps. Often this a form of dermatitis caused by the virus. If the bumps themselves become red and swollen it’s usually a sign that the body’s immune system is fighting the virus. However, consult with your medical provider if you observe these changes.
While a child has molluscum contagiosum, it’s common for some bumps to go away only to be replaced by new ones. The infection can last months to a few years before immunity develops and the bumps disappear for good. Once gone, molluscum generally doesn’t return.
So, what can be done if you think your child has molluscum? It’s helpful to consult with your medical provider to discuss the options. If your child has only a few bumps that are not bothersome, many parents choose to “wait and see.” If treatment is desired, it’s important to be aware that available therapies can cause bumps to disappear but cannot rid the body of the virus. For this reason, new bumps may continue to form until immunity develops.
There are a number of treatments for molluscum but none works perfectly. For young children, options that don’t cause pain usually are advised. These may include a blistering solution applied in the provider’s office, forms of mild acids (like those used to treat warts), or a medication that boosts the immune system in the skin where it is applied. For older children or adolescents, freezing the bumps with liquid nitrogen often is used.
Has your family encountered molluscum yet? What tips would you give to others?
My son has had this since around Nov 2018. I brought him to multiple doctors and try and get something to cure it. It’s on the back of both legs in the bend behind the knee. They gave me a few different creams to use and nothing worked. So I started using calamine lotion and spray. Guys, I swear to you, this has cleared up his bumps by 70%. I use it about twice a day. It’s drys up his skin so occasionally I’ll apply coconut oil. But this has worked!! I was so upset that these bumps could stay for years!! Try this! You won’t be sorry.
When you said calimine lotion and spray. What was the spray. My grandson has been suffering with this since last year and still had them and is now getting them on his face. Thx
Also, try Dr. wheatgrass spray and lotion!! It’s incredible! Last May my son had Molluscum all over and I tried the harsh medicine his doctor gave us. It made my sons skin get so red and inflamed!! So I stumbled upon Dr. Wheatgrass and I’m just a month! Applying once a day after his shower at night, it got rid of it. It was with love and patience and persistence but a month is nothing when it comes to this virus. And until this day I still use it.
My daughter just went through this mess! We tried apple cider vinegar and that didn’t work. We tried waiting it out and that seemed to take forever. Finally my friend suggested Molluscumrx. It takes some time but if you are consistent they do go away!
I am using a product called Zymaderm from Walgreens. It is not cheap, but it seems to keep the bumps from opening and spreading. It does not keep them from popping up in other places on the body, but it seems to have slowed it down. Takes about a month to notice changes. My daughter has had it for almost a year now, and they kept getting red and open and infect, which seemed to spread it. My other daughter also got it, but much less severe. The older girl was a swimmer, and it seemed to get worse the more she swam. I pulled her from swimming and seemed to stabilize, no more open red bumps. The Zymaderm seemed to help them get smaller and some disappeared
The younger girl does not swim and hers have never opened or got infected.
Hi, I think my son is suffering from mulloscum from last two months. He is using mupirocin cream and ezex cream and taking flucloxacillin and azithromycin dihydrate but no improve. Do u think these are correct medicine for his health?
We tried getting them frozen off and the dermatologist used “beetle juice”. A liquid derived from South American beetles that came highly recommended. They did NOT work. We started using tea tree oil I bought at Walgreens- using a cotton bal or q-tip once or twice a day. It took about 6 weeks but they are gone- some more popped out- and did same thing and they are gone. Yes tree oil is the best thing to use.