Medically reviewed by Dr. A.M. van Coevorden, dermatologist
Molluscum contagiosumpearly bumps with a central dimple, mainly in children
Molluscum contagiosum, commonly called water warts, are pearly to skin-coloured bumps caused by a virus. It is a contagious condition that mainly occurs in children. The bumps often have a small dimple on top and usually clear on their own within six to twelve months.
What is molluscum contagiosum?
Water warts develop from infection of the skin with a virus. It is a contagious condition that mainly occurs in children. Skin-coloured bumps appear that usually clear on their own within six to twelve months.
How does molluscum contagiosum develop?
Water warts result from infection with a pox virus and are mainly seen in children over one year old. The infection passes from person to person, through direct contact (playing, sport), through contaminated objects such as toys or towels, and through swimming pools. Children with eczema are somewhat more susceptible. Adults almost never get water warts, but are sometimes infected by children or through sexual contact. When an adult has very many, there may be reduced immunity, for example from medicines, an HIV infection or other illnesses.
What are the symptoms?
Water warts appear between fourteen days and six months after infection. They are shiny, pearly to skin-coloured, dome-shaped bumps, often slightly dimpled on top. Over a few weeks they grow larger, to five to ten millimetres, though they usually stay small. More can keep appearing, sometimes up to a hundred. They mostly sit on the trunk, the neck and around the armpits, and also on the face, especially the eyelids. In adults after sexual contact they often sit in the pubic area and around the anus. Water warts can become inflamed spontaneously or through damage: they turn red, pus can appear and crusts form. That inflammation clears them, after which the skin usually heals without a scar. In children prone to eczema, irritated eczema patches can form around them.
Are water warts contagious?
Yes. Water warts are contagious. They spread through direct contact, through contaminated objects such as toys and towels, and through swimming pools.
How is the diagnosis made?
The diagnosis is usually easy from the characteristic appearance. Sometimes the doctor freezes a bump to see whether the top is slightly dimpled, which is typical of a water wart.
What is the treatment?
Treatment is usually not needed and spontaneous clearing can be awaited. If treatment is chosen, the warts can be removed by freezing with liquid nitrogen, electrical burning or scraping with a sharp spoon. In young children this is often too painful without anaesthetic; a numbing cream applied an hour beforehand and covered can help. In adults, and sometimes children, condylline solution or tretinoin cream is also used. If the water warts spread quickly within an eczema patch, consult the doctor, because treating the eczema well stops the spread.
What is the outlook?
Water warts usually clear on their own within six to twelve months. It is not a problem if they become inflamed; they may even clear faster. Usually no scars remain, though they sometimes form after scratching or treatment. Sometimes the warts persist for a few years.
Frequently asked questions about water warts
Are water warts contagious?
Yes. They spread through direct contact, through contaminated objects such as toys and towels, and through swimming pools.
Do water warts need treatment?
Usually not; they clear on their own within six to twelve months. Treatment can be considered if they bother the child or spread quickly.
How do I recognise them?
As shiny, pearly to skin-coloured bumps often with a small dimple on top, mostly on the trunk, neck, armpits or eyelids.
Do they clear on their own?
Yes, usually within six to twelve months. If a bump becomes inflamed, it often clears faster.
Do they leave scars?
Usually not. A scar can sometimes form after scratching or after treatment.