03/12/2026
It's time I write about this again.
THE MOST COMMON RASH THAT NOBODY KNOWS ABOUT
- These little bumps are called molluscum contagiosum. I see them nearly everyday in my office.
- They are little circular flesh- or pink-colored shiny pearly bumps that kinda look like warts or skin tags, but cuter. They may show up alone or in clusters. They may have a tiny dot in the middle of them.
- They are caused by a virus, and are passed from touching another kid's skin OR contaminated objects like towels, clothing, gym equipment, toys, swimming pool surfaces, and sports gear.
- Fun fact: the virus that causes molluscum is from the same virus family that caused smallpox, the scourge that killed 300-500 million people in the 20th century 😁
- Another fun fact: Molluscum is a common STD 👀
- They last a long time. Generally, 6 months to 2 years. But some deal with them for 4-5 years.
- Sometimes a tiny amount of white stuff comes out of them. That's not pus. That virus goo, and it makes them spread more.
- Eczema LOVES molluscum. They're like best buds and like to show up together. Eczema also makes it spread more. You can see small eczema patches on my kid's knee in the photo if you zoom in (the dry pink raised skin, top right).
- Treatment: you got a lot of options here. It's a benign rash, so most pediatricians will just tell you to wait it out. They always go away, you just have to be really (really) patient. You can treat them similarly to warts and freeze or cut them off. Some dermatologists are even injecting yeast (Candida) into them (and it works well). There are creams and even oral meds we can prescribe to try. I haven't found one medicine that works for everyone.
- When the immune system finds it and starts to kill it off, IT GETS INFLAMED AND RED AND ANGRY. This is not usually an infection. This is the "beginning of the end" sign, and it's a good thing.
- There are tiny dots/pits that are present in the skin once they go away - these "scars" generally don't last for life, and fade within a few years.
Hope this helps you understand molluscum.
Share for the homies who have no idea what it is.
Hugs,
❤ DA
