Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection that leads to small flesh-colored bumps that often have a tiny dent in them. It's caused by a virus (a type of germ). The bumps aren't painful but may itch. Molluscum contagiosum usually goes away on its own within 6 to 12 months, but it can last longer. If needed, your health care provider can recommend treatments to help it clear up faster, such as creams or minor procedures.

Molluscum contagiosum can spread through skin-to-skin contact, sharing towels or clothing, or touching the bumps, then touching other parts of the body. 

Here's some information to help you care for your child and prevent the spread of molluscum contagiosum.

Follow your health care provider's instructions for: 

• Giving any medicines for itching, if needed
• Using any creams or ointments on the bumps
• Making an appointment with a skin specialist (dermatologist)
• When to follow up

Follow these tips to prevent molluscum contagiosum from spreading: 

• Don't let your child share towels, pool toys, clothes, sheets, or other items that touch the infection.
• Have your child wash their hands well and often.
• Cover the bumps with clothing or a bandage when your child goes to school.
• Cover the bumps with a watertight bandage before your child swims or does activities with close contact (such as wrestling) or uses shared equipment (like in gymnastics).
• Molluscum contagiosum can spread through sexual contact. For older kids who are sexually active, covering the bumps with a bandage and wearing a condom during sexual contact can help lower the risk of spread. 

Other tips:

• Remind your child not to touch, scratch, or rub the bumps.
• Your child shouldn't shave over the bumps.

• Your child has swelling, pain, or severe itching around the bumps.
• The bumps look hot, red, or painful, or begin oozing (this could mean the bumps are infected).

What problems can happen from molluscum contagiosum? The bumps usually are painless, but if your child scratches or picks at them, they can get infected with bacteria (another type of germ). If that happens, a child may need antibiotic treatment.

What happens if molluscum contagiosum doesn't go away? If the infection doesn't go away or gets worse, your health care provider may treat it by:

• Freezing, scraping, or cutting the bumps off
• Putting a chemical or medicine on the bumps 
• Prescribing medicine to swallow