Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a common viral skin infection resulting in clusters of small, raised bumps on the skin. Although the lesions are usually harmless and resolve without intervention, the impulse to squeeze or pop them is strong. Dermatologists strongly advise against this action, as physical manipulation creates a significant risk of spreading the infection and causing long-term damage to the skin.
Understanding Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is a localized infection caused by the Molluscum Contagiosum Virus (MCV), a member of the poxvirus family. The infection manifests as small, dome-shaped bumps, called papules, typically measuring between one and six millimeters in diameter. These papules often have a pearly, flesh-colored appearance and a characteristic tiny indentation, or dimple, at their center, known as umbilication.
The lesions can appear anywhere on the body, frequently found on the torso, arms, legs, and face. This infection is most prevalent in young children, but it can affect individuals of any age. The virus transmits through direct skin-to-skin contact or indirectly by sharing contaminated items like towels or clothing.
Why Popping Lesions Causes Spreading and Scarring
The content of a molluscum lesion, often appearing as a white or waxy core, is a dense concentration of the virus. When a lesion is physically traumatized by squeezing, scratching, or popping, this infectious material is expelled.
This action directly causes autoinoculation, the process by which the virus spreads to surrounding healthy skin areas. The release of viral particles onto adjacent skin creates new entry sites, leading to the formation of fresh papules and a more widespread infection. Attempting to pop one bump can result in a significant increase in the number of lesions over the following weeks.
Breaking the skin barrier introduces a high risk of secondary bacterial infection. The open wound allows bacteria to enter, potentially leading to complications such as cellulitis or abscess formation requiring antibiotic treatment. Unlike the lesions, which usually resolve without a trace, the trauma from squeezing increases the likelihood of permanent scarring or pitting. These lasting marks result from the body’s inflammatory response to the physical damage and subsequent infection.
Safe and Recommended Management Options
For many healthy individuals, the most common approach is simple patience, often termed watchful waiting. The immune system typically clears the virus naturally, with lesions usually resolving spontaneously within six to twelve months without leaving scars. During this time, proper hygiene is emphasized to reduce spread, including covering lesions with clothing or waterproof bandages and avoiding the sharing of personal items.
If the outbreak is extensive, persistent, or in a sensitive area, professional intervention offers controlled methods that minimize the risk of viral spread and scarring. Dermatologists may employ physical removal techniques, such as cryotherapy (freezing the lesion with liquid nitrogen) or curettage (gently scraping the lesion off).
Topical treatments are also utilized, often involving prescription medications like cantharidin, which causes a controlled blister to form beneath the lesion. Newer topical agents, such as berdazimer gel, have recently received approval for treating MC in children one year and older. These professional methods are performed under controlled, sterile conditions, making them a safer alternative to attempting home removal.