About Molluscum Contagiosum Treatment Services:
Molluscum will usually clear on its own—eventually—but “eventually” can mean months to years, and many families would rather not wait.
At Charleston Dermatology, our physicians and providers confirm the diagnosis on exam and talk through your options honestly, including watchful waiting. When bumps are spreading, itchy, inflamed, or affecting a child’s confidence, treatment can speed things along.
Treatment plans are built around the patient—their age, the number of bumps, and their tolerance for in-office procedures—and may include cantharidin (“beetle juice”) applied in the office, cryotherapy, curettage, or prescription topical treatments. Clear answers and gentle care start with a visit. Schedule an appointment and we’ll walk you through it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is molluscum contagiosum?
Molluscum is a skin infection caused by a poxvirus. It produces small, flesh-colored to pink, pearly bumps, often with a tiny central dimple. Bumps commonly appear on the trunk, arms, legs, and in skin folds, and scratching can spread them in a line.
How does molluscum spread, and is it serious?
It spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact and shared items like towels, clothing, and pool equipment — which is why it’s so common in young children. It is not dangerous and typically leaves no scars on its own, though scratched or inflamed bumps can occasionally become infected. It spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact and shared items like towels, clothing, and pool equipment — which is why it’s so common in young children. It is not dangerous and typically leaves no scars on its own, though scratched or inflamed bumps can occasionally become infected.
How is molluscum treated?
Because molluscum resolves on its own, watchful waiting is a legitimate option. When treatment makes sense, in-office options include cantharidin (a painless blistering solution well tolerated by kids), freezing, or gentle removal, along with prescription topicals for home use. We’ll also cover simple steps — covering bumps, not sharing towels — that limit spread to siblings and classmates.