Molluscum Contagiosum Treatments and Medications

Molluscum contagiosum is a contagious viral skin infection that causes raised spots or bumps on the skin. The virus is primarily spread through direct skin-to-skin contact, including sexual contact. People can reinfect themselves on other parts of their body by touching, rubbing, scratching, or squeezing the lesions. A molluscum infection can also be spread indirectly through contaminated objects, such as towels, pajamas, toys, and razors. Molluscum is a common infection that can occur in adults and children, especially in warm, humid, or crowded areas. Some people are more at risk than others, especially those with atopic dermatitis or compromised immune systems. If you or your child have symptoms of molluscum contagiosum, a healthcare provider can evaluate and diagnose the condition. 

How is molluscum contagiosum diagnosed?

In children, molluscum contagiosum lesions often appear on the face, trunk, shoulders, or limbs. Among teens and adults, molluscum is usually spread through sexual contact or contact sports. Sexually-transmitted molluscum infections typically appear on the genital area, anus, inner thighs, and lower abdomen. People with compromised immune systems may have lesions spread extensively around the body.

Molluscum contagiosum is diagnosed by a general practitioner or dermatologist primarily by examining the bumps. 

The symptoms of molluscum contagiosum are limited to the appearance of the skin lesions, which usually appear in a cluster of a dozen or more bumps that are:

• Pearly, pink, or purple-colored

• Dome-shaped

• About one-tenth to less than one-half an inch in diameter

• Firm, with a dimple in the center

The healthcare provider may need to examine the lesions with a dermatoscope, a small, handheld magnifier with light. If there’s any doubt, the healthcare provider can confirm the infection using a specialized microscope or a skin biopsy.

Molluscum contagiosum treatment options

Molluscum warts typically disappear on their own without scarring within a few months. Dermatologists may treat the condition if the infection is extensive, located on the genitals, or cosmetically disruptive. When determining treatment options, a specialist may also consider whether the patient has a weakened immune system or other risk factors.

Physical removal

A dermatologist can physically remove the molluscum warts using a variety of outpatient procedures:

• Cryotherapy. Using liquid nitrogen, a dermatologist will freeze the molluscum lesions to remove them. The procedure has a high success rate at clearing lesions and can be performed without anesthesia.

• Curettage. The dermatologist will apply a topical anesthetic and remove the infected lesions with a curette, or a type of pick. Povidone iodine may be applied to the area afterward to prevent infection. Curettage can be highly successful, but there is a risk of scarring.

• Laser therapy. Using a pulsed dye laser, a concentrated beam of light is focused on the molluscum lesion, removing it with heat. 

Chemical removal

Certain chemical treatments containing glycolic acid or lactic acid can be used to help get rid of molluscum bumps. However, these chemicals can irritate the skin and cause redness or swelling. Chemical treatments should only be administered by a dermatologist and may require several visits to completely treat the lesions.

Medications

Immune-modulating drugs can be successful at ramping up the immune system’s fight against the virus. These medications can be taken orally or applied topically to the infected area. 

Types of molluscum contagiosum medication

Your healthcare provider will determine if treatment is necessary. For example, if your immune system is healthy, your provider may recommend letting molluscum clear on its own, although this can take months. Dermatologists typically recommend treating molluscum in certain patients, such as those who have chronic skin conditions, lesions in the genital area, a compromised immune system (such as HIV), or extremely bothersome symptoms. 

Topical agents

Cantharidin, a blistering agent, is often the first-line medical therapy used by a dermatologist. Because cantharidin can irritate the skin and cause blisters, it is applied to the infected area by a dermatologist as an office procedure. It must be washed off in two to six hours to prevent skin damage and scarring. Blisters form in one or two days. If effective, the molluscum infection will clear within seven days after application. 

The dermatologist may prescribe other drugs to help clear the molluscum skin lesions, such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, tretinoin cream, podofilox, or imiquimod. Unlike cantharidin, these are medications that may be applied daily for several weeks. Zelsuvmi (berdazimer) is a topical gel that was FDA approved in 2024. It can be used to treat molluscum contagiosum in adults and children one year of age and older.

Cimetidine

In some cases, healthcare providers will recommend cimetidine, a medicine normally used to reduce stomach acid. Cimetidine is sometimes used in people who have severe eczema and extensive molluscum lesions. Cimetidine works by blocking histamine, which is known to suppress certain immune cell activity. Unlike some topical medications, cimetidine does not carry a risk of skin irritation or scarring. Cimetidine is available both over-the-counter at lower doses and by prescription at higher doses.

Antiretroviral therapy

For patients with HIV and molluscum, healthcare providers may start treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART). 

Over-the-counter molluscum contagiosum medicine

In some cases, healthcare providers may recommend an over-the-counter medicine as part of treatment, such as topical benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid products, or oral cimetidine. Always check with a healthcare provider before using OTC products for molluscum. 

What's the best medicine for molluscum contagiosum?

For many people with healthy immune systems, molluscum contagiosum goes away within six to 12 months. Medications may help the infection clear up faster, although treatment will be determined on a case-by-case basis. There is, then, no single “best” medication for molluscum contagiosum. A dermatologist will weigh the severity of the infection, the patient’s overall medical situation, and the risk of side effects in determining the most appropriate drug treatment, if any.

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Medication for molluscum contagiosum