Molluscum Treatment: What Works, What Doesn't, and How to Stop Spreading It

When you or your child gets molluscum contagiosum, a common viral skin infection caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus, often appearing as small, raised, pearly bumps. Also known as molluscum, it’s not dangerous but can be annoying, itchy, and spread easily through skin contact or shared towels and toys. These bumps usually show up on the face, arms, legs, or groin area—especially in kids under 10, but adults can get them too, often from close contact or sexual activity.

Many people try home remedies like tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, or duct tape, hoping to zap the bumps fast. But here’s the truth: most of these don’t reliably work, and some can irritate the skin worse than the original bumps. The real answer isn’t always about speed—it’s about stopping the spread. Molluscum is contagious until the bumps are gone, and scratching or picking at them can send the virus to other parts of the body or to other people. That’s why doctors often recommend letting it run its course, which can take 6 to 18 months, while using gentle methods to avoid spreading it.

When treatment is needed, especially for adults or if the bumps are in sensitive areas, there are proven options. Cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen), cantharidin (a blistering agent applied by a provider), and topical retinoids are commonly used. For kids, many providers avoid aggressive treatments unless the bumps are painful or spreading fast. There’s also a newer topical cream called imiquimod, which helps the immune system fight the virus, but it can cause redness and irritation. The key is matching the treatment to the person—what works for a teenager might be too harsh for a toddler.

What you won’t find in most guides is how much skin hygiene, simple daily practices like not sharing towels, keeping lesions covered, and avoiding scratching. Also known as bump care, it’s the quiet hero in stopping molluscum from turning into a full-blown outbreak. You don’t need expensive products. Just clean hands, clean clothes, and patience. And if you’re worried about scarring or if the bumps won’t go away after a year, that’s when you see a dermatologist—not before.

What you’ll find in the articles below isn’t a list of miracle cures. It’s real talk about what’s been studied, what’s safe for kids, what’s worth the cost, and what’s just noise. You’ll see how some treatments help, others don’t, and why sometimes doing nothing is the smartest move. No hype. No fluff. Just what works, based on what doctors actually see in practice.