HealthInfo Canterbury

Molluscum contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin infection. It's infectious, and caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus. It causes small hard flesh-coloured lumps.

It is harmless, although it can look unsightly. Generally it goes away by itself, but this can take many months.

Molluscum contagiosum is quite common in children. Adults can get molluscum contagiosum but it isn't common.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

• DermNet NZ – Molluscum contagiosum

  This viral skin infection mainly affects infants and children, but can affect adults as well. DermNet NZ explains what it is, how you catch it and how it is treated. The page includes photographs.

• NHS – Molluscum contagiosum

  This page has information about the causes, symptoms. diagnosis and treatment of molluscum contagiosum.

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed May 2017.

Page reference: 110748

Review key: HIMOC-110748