Should i worry about molluscum contagiosum

The virus commonly spreads through skin-to-skin contact. This includes sexual contact or touching the bumps and then touching the skin. Touching an object that has the virus on it, such as a towel, also can spread the infection. The virus can spread from one part of the body to another. Or it can spread to other people, such as among children at daycare or school.

The infection is contagious until the bumps are gone. The time from exposure to the virus until the bumps appear usually is 2 to 7 weeks, but it can take up to 6 months. To prevent molluscum contagiosum from spreading:. Your doctor will do a physical examination and may take a sample of the bumps for testing. If you have bumps in your genital area, your doctor may check for other sexually transmitted infections STIs , such as genital herpes.

In most cases, molluscum contagiosum doesn't need to be treated. The bumps usually go away on their own in 6 to 9 months. But in some cases, they may last much longer—sometimes even for years. Doctors usually recommend treatment for these bumps in the genital area to prevent them from spreading.

If you need treatment, your choices may include:. Children may not need treatment, because molluscum contagiosum usually goes away on its own. But if your child needs treatment, talk to your child's doctor about how to prevent pain and scarring. Molluscum contagiosum is most common in children, especially those younger than age In teenagers and young adults, it usually is a sexually transmitted infection. But wrestlers, swimmers, gymnasts, massage therapists, and people who use steam rooms and saunas also can get it.

Molluscum contagiosum is more common in warm, humid climates with crowded living conditions. Molluscum contagiosum Molluscum contagiosum is a common skin infection that results in raised, round, flesh-colored bumps on the skin. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Molluscum contagiosum. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed Feb.

Longo DL, et al. Molluscum contagiosum, monkeypox, and other poxvirus infections. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. New York, N. Hay WW, et al. Isaacs SN. Bumps usually appear 2—6 weeks after that. The molluscum virus spreads easily from skin touching skin that has bumps. People also can get it by touching things that have the virus on them, such as toys, clothing, towels, and bedding.

Sexually active teens with bumps in the groin or inner thighs can spread them to partners. Doctors can usually tell a rash is molluscum by looking at it. Sometimes they might suggest that a person see a dermatologist skin doctor , but most teens won't need this. Teens with molluscum can still go to school and play sports.

To prevent the spread of molluscum to other places on their body and to other people, they should:. Most of the time, molluscum clears up on its own without treatment.

Each bump goes away in about 2—3 months. New bumps can appear as old ones go away, so it can take months and sometimes longer for molluscum to fully go away.

Many doctors don't recommend these treatments, though. That's because they can be painful and burn, blister, stain, or scar the skin. When deciding to treat a rash, they consider where the bumps are and if they're causing itching, pain, or other problems. Talk with your doctor about the pros and cons of treating molluscum. The rash usually doesn't cause long-term problems or leave scars.

Often, the best way to handle it is to be patient, as hard as that might be. Reviewed by: Melanie L. Pitone, MD.