General & Pediatric Dermatology
Warts & Molluscum Treatment
Warts and molluscum contagiosum are common viral skin conditions affecting children and adults alike. Both are contagious and can spread without treatment. Dr. Sergay offers multiple effective, personalized treatment options — and always discusses the pros and cons of each approach with patients and families.
Book an Appointment
Dr. Sergay's Approach
Two Different Viruses, One Expert Practice
Warts (HPV)
Warts are growths that appear when a virus — specifically the human papillomavirus (HPV) — infects the top layer of the skin. They are considered contagious because they can spread when healthy skin contacts wart particles, either directly or through shared surfaces like floors, towels, or shoes.
Molluscum Contagiosum (MCV)
Molluscum are small, dome-shaped bumps on the skin caused by a harmless poxvirus. This is commonly seen in children, but all ages can be affected. The virus is spread by direct contact with infected skin or contaminated surfaces. While generally harmless, molluscum can spread extensively and persist for months to years without treatment.
There are many effective treatment options for both conditions, including “freezing” with liquid nitrogen, topical destructive solutions, and injectable medications. Dr. Sergay will discuss the pros and cons of each approach and customize the management plan to fit your needs — taking into account the patient's age, lesion location, number, and tolerance.
Children & Adults
All ages treated
Customized Plans
Pros & cons always discussed
Know What You're Dealing With
Types of Warts & Molluscum
Warts (HPV — Human Papillomavirus)
Common Warts (Verruca Vulgaris)
Rough, raised growths that typically appear on the hands, fingers, and knees. They have a rough, cauliflower-like surface and may have tiny black dots (clotted blood vessels). Most common in school-age children.
- Rough, raised surface
- Hands, fingers & knees
- Black dots visible
- Spread by skin-to-skin contact
Plantar Warts
Warts that grow on the soles of the feet, often pushed inward by body weight — causing pain when walking or standing. Can appear as a single wart or a cluster (mosaic warts). Often contracted from pool decks, locker room floors, and gym showers.
- Painful when walking
- Soles of feet
- May grow inward
- Contracted from wet surfaces
Flat Warts
Small, smooth, flat-topped warts that tend to appear in large numbers. Often found on the face, neck, hands, and legs. More common in children and teens. Can spread rapidly through shaving on the face or legs.
- Small, smooth & flat
- Appear in clusters
- Face, neck & legs
- Spread through shaving
Periungual & Filiform Warts
Periungual warts grow around or under the fingernails and toenails, can affect nail growth, and are particularly stubborn. Filiform warts are long, narrow, thread-like projections most commonly found on the face — especially around the mouth, eyes, and nose.
- Around nails or thread-like
- Can affect nail growth
- Face, eyelids & lips
- Often require targeted treatment
Molluscum Contagiosum (MCV — Poxvirus)
Molluscum Contagiosum
Small, round, dome-shaped bumps with a characteristic central dimple (umbilication). They are flesh-colored, pink, or pearly white. Commonly appear on the trunk, arms, legs, and face in children. In adults, they are often sexually transmitted and appear in the groin area.
- Dome-shaped with central dimple
- Flesh-colored or pearly
- Trunk, arms & face in children
- All ages affected
Molluscum with Dermatitis (Eczema)
Approximately 10% of patients with molluscum develop surrounding eczema-like inflammation (molluscum dermatitis). This itching can cause scratching and further spread of the virus. Dr. Sergay evaluates and treats both the molluscum and associated skin inflammation simultaneously.
- Itchy, inflamed surrounding skin
- ~10% of molluscum cases
- Can cause further spread
- Requires dual treatment approach
Effective Options
How Dr. Sergay Treats Warts & Molluscum
There are many effective treatment options. Dr. Sergay will always discuss the pros and cons of each method and customize the plan to fit your age, lesion location, and goals.
Cantharidin
Applies to: Warts & Molluscum
A painless, in-office application of a blister-inducing solution derived from blister beetles. Applied by Dr. Sergay, covered, and washed off at home hours later. The resulting blister lifts the wart from the skin. Especially effective and well-tolerated for children. Also effective for molluscum.
Topical Destructive Agents
Applies to: Warts & Molluscum
Prescription-strength salicylic acid, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), or other topical agents are applied to gradually destroy wart and molluscum tissue over multiple sessions. Suitable for cooperative patients who need repeated home or in-office applications.
Intralesional Injections
Applies to: Resistant Warts
For stubborn or recurrent warts, injectable medications — including Candida antigen (immunotherapy) or bleomycin — can stimulate an immune response that clears the HPV virus. Particularly effective for large, treatment-resistant warts that haven't responded to topical methods.
Curettage & Electrosurgery
Applies to: Resistant Warts & Molluscum
Surgical scraping (curettage) with or without electrodessication destroys the wart tissue mechanically. Used for warts or molluscum that haven't responded to other treatments, or when rapid removal is needed. Performed under local anesthesia.
Watchful Waiting (Molluscum)
Applies to: Molluscum (young children)
For molluscum in young children with few lesions, watchful waiting may be appropriate since the immune system often clears the virus on its own within 6–18 months. Dr. Sergay will discuss whether active treatment or observation is the best strategy for your child's specific situation.
10%
Of children have warts at any given time
2–4
Sessions typically needed for clearance
6–18mo
Molluscum may self-resolve in children
All Ages
Children & adults treated
For Parents
Managing Warts & Molluscum in Children
Both conditions are extremely common in school-age children and are not a sign of poor hygiene. Here's what parents should know about managing them at home and preventing spread.
Prevent Spread at Home
- Don't share towels, washcloths, or razors
- Cover warts or molluscum bumps with a bandage
- Encourage your child not to scratch or pick
- Wash hands frequently, especially after touching lesions
Prevent Spread at School & Activities
- Wear flip-flops in pool areas, locker rooms & showers
- Avoid sharing sports equipment that touches skin
- Swimming is generally fine — cover lesions if possible
- Children don't need to be kept home from school
Managing Your Child's Treatment
- Discuss options with Dr. Sergay — some are painless
- Cantharidin is a painless, popular option for young children
- Bring your child's favorite distraction to appointments
- Multiple sessions are normal — consistency leads to clearance
When to Come In
- Lesions growing rapidly in number or size
- Warts on the face, genitals, or around nails
- Painful plantar warts affecting walking
- Molluscum spreading to eyelids or causing eye irritation
Reassurance for parents: Warts and molluscum are caused by common viruses — not by poor hygiene. They are extremely common in school-age children and do not reflect on your child's cleanliness or health. Most children who are immunologically healthy will eventually clear both viruses on their own, but treatment speeds up resolution and prevents further spread.
Common Questions
Warts & Molluscum FAQ
Get Them Gone
Ready to Clear Warts or Molluscum?
Whether it's a stubborn plantar wart, spreading molluscum on your child, or anything in between — Dr. Sergay will find the right treatment plan. Painless options available for young children.