Conditions
Molluscum contagiosum: what it is and when to treat it
Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin infection that causes small, smooth bumps, often with a tiny dimple in the center. It is very common in children, it is not dangerous, and it usually goes away on its own in six months to a year. The doctor can recognize it by video, explain how to keep it from spreading and tell you when removal in person makes sense.
Is it an emergency? Call 911.
Pay now, then choose your time right away. Full refund if you cancel 24 hours or more ahead.
See the cancellation policy
You can cancel for a full refund or change the time up to 24 hours before your visit. Within 24 hours you can't cancel and there's no refund. If you don't join in the first 10 minutes, there's no refund.
If you choose a time less than 24 hours away, it can't be cancelled or changed.
If the clinic can't see you, for example because of a technical problem on our side, we refund you in full.
Is this an emergency?
This is not an emergency service. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- Fever with chills, unusual sleepiness or confusion
- A red area around a bump that spreads fast within a few hours
- Infection around the eye or on the face
Help lines
At a glance
Molluscum contagiosum
Common symptoms
- Small, smooth, firm bumps on the skin
- White, pink or skin-colored bumps, sometimes with a dimple in the center
- They may itch or turn red, especially when scratched
- In children they often appear on the chest, back, arms or legs
- Other names
- Water warts
- Treatment
- Usually clears on its own; removal (scraping or freezing) is done in person when indicated
On this page(9)
What is molluscum contagiosum?
Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection caused by a poxvirus. It forms bumps that the CDC describes as white, pink or skin-colored, from the size of a pinhead to a pencil eraser. Many have a small dimple in the middle.
It is most common in children aged 1 to 10. In adults, many infections spread through sexual contact and appear on the genitals, belly or inner thighs. In people with a weakened immune system it can spread more widely.
How we help by video
You see Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, a Puerto Rico–licensed general practice physician with several years of emergency-department experience, in English or Spanish. Molluscum is recognized by how it looks: the doctor checks it on camera and, if she asks, you can send photos through the secure link.
We evaluate, diagnose and treat. The doctor confirms whether it is molluscum or something similar, such as warts, and tells you whether to wait or treat it. If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy. Removing the bumps (scraping or freezing) is done in person: if it is needed, we refer you.
We see children of all ages: a parent or legal guardian is on camera for the whole visit and shows photo ID. See our online doctor for kids.
Your doctor
Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD
General practice physician
Several years of emergency-department experience.
Founding Executive Director of The Health Initiative.
Your visit in 3 steps
Doctor online 24/7: video doctor visits 24/7 — book online and choose your time right away. Every day, any time (Puerto Rico time).
Request your visit.
Book a visit and choose "Doctor visit". You pay by card when you request it.
See the doctor by video.
We send you a secure video link. It works on your phone, tablet or computer.
Get your plan.
The doctor explains what to expect and how to prevent spread and, if appropriate, prescribes or refers you.
What the visit costs
Molluscum contagiosum is handled in a doctor visit, the same price for every age, with no membership. You pay by card when you request the visit, and you get a full refund if the clinic can’t see you. The service is run by The Health Initiative, a nonprofit. See prices.
Molluscum contagiosum symptoms
The bumps rarely hurt. Scratching can spread them to other parts of the body or infect them.
- Small, smooth, firm bumps on the skin
- White, pink or skin-colored bumps, sometimes with a dimple in the center
- They may itch or turn red, especially when scratched
- In children they often appear on the chest, back, arms or legs
Molluscum contagiosum treatment: does it need to be removed?
According to the CDC, healthy people usually recover without treatment: the bumps go away in six months to a year, though sometimes longer, up to 4 years. That is why waiting and preventing spread is often the best plan.
Removal is considered when the bumps are on the genitals, when there are many or they bother you, or when the person has a weakened immune system. Scraping, freezing or laser is done in person by a trained provider and can cause pain, irritation or scarring. Some treatments go on the skin: some are prescribed for home use and others, such as cantharidin, are applied in the provider’s office. The CDC warns not to try to remove the bumps yourself, and that some products sold online may not work and can cause harm.
Genital molluscum in adults: the CDC advises seeing a healthcare provider soon, because it usually spreads through sexual contact. The doctor offers STI testing with an order for a lab near you. If the bumps are rough and cauliflower-shaped, see genital warts and HPV.
How to keep it from spreading
Molluscum spreads by skin contact and through items like towels, clothes, toys or pool equipment. The CDC recommends:
- Washing hands often.
- Not scratching or squeezing the bumps.
- Not sharing towels or clothes.
- Covering the bumps with clothing or a bandage.
- Children can go to school and daycare, and can swim if they have no open sores.
When to get molluscum checked soon
Molluscum is not an emergency. Get checked soon if you notice:
- Bumps on the eyelid or near the eye, or a red, painful eye: get in-person care the same day
- A bump that is very red, hot and swollen, or has pus: the doctor can evaluate it by video. Read about skin infection
- Many bumps appearing quickly in someone with a weakened immune system
- Fever with chills, unusual sleepiness or confusion: call 911
Why a video visit
| Comparison | By video | Emergency room |
|---|---|---|
| Getting there | From home: join from your phone, tablet or computer. | Drive and find parking. |
| Hours and time | Every day, any time (Puerto Rico time). Video doctor visits 24/7 — book online and choose your time right away. | In Puerto Rico, a median of 4 h 52 min from arrival to departure for patients sent home (US: 2 h 42 min; Oct 2024–Sep 2025).1,2 |
| Price | $79 visit · $49 follow-up · $35 forms. You see it before you pay; no insurance needed. | Depends on your insurance and on what is done. |
For problems that are not emergencies. In an emergency, call 911.
Table sources
- 1. CMS Care Compare, “Timely and Effective Care – State”, measure OP-18b: median time in the emergency department, arrival to departure, for patients sent home (opens in a new tab), data for Oct 2024–Sep 2025 (accessed 2026-10-02)
- 2. CMS Care Compare, “Timely and Effective Care – National”, measure OP-18b (US figure) (opens in a new tab), data for Oct 2024–Sep 2025 (accessed 2026-10-02)
How we care for you
We evaluate, diagnose and treat; if needed, we give you a lab order for a lab near you.
We see adults and children of all ages. Patients under 21: a parent with patria potestad (parental authority) or a legal guardian is on camera for the whole visit and shows photo ID.
Real-time video visit. We send you a secure video link. It works on your phone, tablet or computer.
If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy.
You must be physically in Puerto Rico during the visit (visitors, tourists and cruise passengers are welcome).
In an emergency, call 911.
Frequently asked questions
How long does molluscum contagiosum last?
Can my child with molluscum go to school or swim?
Is molluscum contagiosum sexually transmitted?
How does molluscum contagiosum spread?
How is molluscum contagiosum removed?
Related topics
About this page
Author: The Health Initiative
Medical care provided by Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD (PR license 24027)
Disclosure: Founding Executive Director of The Health Initiative
Published: 2026-10-02 · Updated: 2026-10-11
Sources (4)
- About molluscum contagiosum (CDC) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- Molluscum contagiosum (MedlinePlus, NIH) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- Molluscum contagiosum: clinical overview (CDC) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-09)
- Genital warts (MedlinePlus, NIH) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)