Molluscum Contagiosum (MC) is a highly common, generally harmless skin infection caused by a poxvirus. The infection manifests as small, raised, dome-shaped lesions called mollusca, which are typically flesh-colored or pink and feature a characteristic central dimple. Inside this indentation lies a waxy, white core, known as the molluscum body, which contains the highly infectious virus particles. Because these lesions resemble pimples or warts, the answer to whether you should pop them is unequivocally no.
The Dangers of Popping Molluscum
Intentionally squeezing, picking, or scratching a molluscum lesion creates significant risks. The primary danger comes from the physical act of releasing the infectious viral core onto the surrounding healthy skin. This process is known as auto-inoculation, which causes the virus to spread and leads to the formation of new lesions in nearby areas.
Forcibly opening the skin also creates an entry point for bacteria, which can lead to a secondary bacterial infection. This complication can manifest as cellulitis or an abscess, requiring treatment with oral antibiotics and potentially causing pain and swelling. The skin around the lesion may become noticeably red and inflamed, which is a sign that the body is fighting a new bacterial invasion.
The physical trauma of popping significantly increases the likelihood of permanent scarring, which is otherwise rare when the lesions heal naturally. Popping damages the underlying dermal tissue, leading to a higher chance of permanent pitting or noticeable discoloration, known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Allowing the lesion to resolve spontaneously or under professional care minimizes this risk.
Preventing Transmission and Auto-Inoculation
Since the virus is easily spread through contact, careful management of the lesions is necessary to prevent auto-inoculation to new areas of the body and transmission to others. The most effective strategy involves keeping all existing lesions covered with clothing or a simple waterproof bandage. This physical barrier is especially important during activities like swimming or contact sports, which involve close skin-to-skin contact or shared water environments.
Another important step is to avoid the communal sharing of personal items that may have touched the lesions. This includes towels, washcloths, bathing sponges, and clothing, as the poxvirus can remain active on these surfaces, acting as fomites for transmission. Using a separate, clean towel for the affected area and rigorously washing the hands after any contact with the lesions are highly effective hygiene protocols.
Rigorous handwashing is a fundamental defense against spreading the virus to unaffected body parts. If the lesions are accidentally touched or scratched, washing hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately reduces the chance of transferring the virus elsewhere. Maintaining this hygiene routine helps to break the cycle of self-infection.
Professional Management and Treatment Options
Because Molluscum Contagiosum is a self-limiting condition, one common approach is “watchful waiting,” especially for healthy individuals. In the majority of cases, the body’s immune system will recognize and clear the virus on its own, with lesions typically resolving within six to eighteen months without intervention. This observation period is often preferred to avoid the discomfort or side effects associated with active treatments.
For more persistent or widespread cases, or when there is concern about transmission, dermatologists offer several physical removal methods. These in-office procedures include cryotherapy, which uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the lesion, and curettage, where a specialized instrument is used to scrape the lesions off the skin. Laser therapy, such as the pulsed-dye laser, is another option used to target and destroy the infected cells.
Alternatively, clinicians may prescribe topical medications designed to speed up the resolution process. These agents include cantharidin, which causes a blister to form beneath the lesion, lifting it off the skin, or various retinoids that promote skin cell turnover. Other creams, such as imiquimod, work by stimulating a localized immune response to help the body fight the virus.