Molluscum contagiosum is a common viral skin infection that many parents in Robbinsville, Monroe Township, West Windsor, and across Mercer County haven't heard of — until it appears on their child. Those small, round, shiny bumps can look alarming at first, but this condition is almost always harmless, self-limited, and far less worrisome than it sounds.

What Does Molluscum Look Like?

2–5 millimeters in diameter (about the size of a pea or smaller)
Smooth and dome-shaped with a central dimple or pit (this "umbilicated" center is a key identifying feature)
Shiny, sometimes with a waxy appearance
Painless, though they may become itchy

The bumps can appear anywhere on the body. In children, they most commonly appear on the trunk, arms, legs, and face. They tend to appear in clusters of 10–20, but can range from just a few bumps to over 100 in children with eczema or weakened immune systems.

What Causes Molluscum?

Molluscum is caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV), a member of the poxvirus family. It is not the same virus as chickenpox, herpes, or HPV.

How Does Molluscum Spread?

Direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person
Touching contaminated objects like towels, bath sponges, toys, or gym equipment
Scratching bumps and touching another area of your own skin (autoinoculation)
Shared water in pools or baths if skin is broken

Molluscum is contagious but spreads slowly and requires direct contact. Having a child with molluscum does not require keeping them home from school.

Why Watchful Waiting Is Often Best

In children with healthy immune systems, molluscum contagiosum resolves completely on its own — usually within 6–18 months, and sometimes up to 2 years. The body eventually mounts an immune response and clears the infection without any treatment.

Your child's bumps are not bothering them
The bumps are not on the face or eyelids
Your child does not have eczema that is worsening in affected areas

When Treatment Makes Sense

The bumps are spreading rapidly or extensively
Your child is uncomfortable or embarrassed
Bumps are in areas that cause problems (eyelids, around the mouth)
Your child has eczema and the molluscum is triggering flares
You want to speed resolution before summer swim season

Treatment options we may discuss include gentle physical removal (curettage), topical agents to stimulate the immune response, or chemical treatment. We'll always choose the most comfortable approach for your child.

Preventing Spread at Home and School

Don't share towels, clothing, or bathing sponges
Discourage scratching and picking at bumps
Cover bumps with clothing or a bandage when possible at shared pools or in close contact sports
Wash hands frequently

Children with molluscum can attend school and participate in most activities. Check with your child's school or sports program for any specific policies.

When to Call Hummingbird Pediatrics

You're unsure whether bumps are molluscum or something else
Bumps appear near the eyes, on the eyelids, or in skin folds
Your child has many bumps (50+) or they're spreading very rapidly
The bumps appear red, swollen, or oozing, which could indicate a secondary bacterial infection
Your child's eczema seems to be worsening in areas with molluscum

We're here to help you navigate this common but confusing skin condition with calm, evidence-based guidance.

Molluscum Contagiosum in Children: What Parents Need to Know