Kids and Warts

Molluscum contagiosum and warts come in different sizes and places. The most common places for warts to develop on children are the hands, fingers, and feet. The most common places for molluscum contagiosum on kids are the chest, abdomen, face, eyelids, buttocks, or folds in the groin or arm. Read on to learn more about warts and molluscum from Fruitland-based Registered Medical Assistant Niki Lazo.

Both of these skin conditions can seem to appear out of nowhere. They are not harmful, but they can be very contagious. With this in mind, it’s important to get them treated sooner, rather than later. 

Warts are an infection on the top layer of the skin, while molluscum is a common, benign skin disease that primarily affects children. It is caused by a poxvirus. 

Picking or scratching may lead to spreading on the same child or to other children. Some warts can become painful or start to grow under the nail beds, which can be harder to treat. Over-the-counter products are sometimes effective in treating smaller warts.

If you have a wart that is left untreated for a longer period of time, you may need to visit a dermatologist. 

Dermatologists can easily treat warts on hands, fingers, and feet. There are a few different methods to treating warts and molluscum depending on the area, as well as the child’s age and activity level. Liquid nitrogen or cryotherapy is a freezing method, while canthacur is a blistering agent. If the lesion fails to respond to both treatments, then it may be treated with an injection of candadin. If it still doesn’t respond, a surgical procedure might be suggested.

Some warts (though not all) can re-occur as a squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer. Cancer does not discriminate in age.

Molluscum can appear in as little as one to 10 spots at a time or as many as 100. Of course, this doesn’t happen overnight. The bumps appear as pink or flesh colored and are usually smaller than the size of a pencil eraser. 

Molluscum contagiosum has the same treatment methods as warts. If you are trying an over-the-counter product, salicylic acid may be beneficial in removing the lesions.

When treating or getting rid of warts and molluscum contagiosum, you might need more than one treatment, but this is normal. Be sure to check your child or children frequently for telltale bumps. The spreading of these diseases can be prevented or easily treated if caught early. Do a weekly or daily skin exam, have your child help, and let them notify you of any new spots or blister bumps they might have. I know my child is the best person to know his body.

For more information about warts and molluscum, contact the CT Derm team by calling 208-452-7450 or reaching out online.