A few mysterious bumps can be easy to shrug off until they multiply. Molluscum contagiosum is especially common in children, and those small bumps can spread through close contact. If something unfamiliar appears on your child’s skin, a dermatologist in Loudoun County, VA, can help determine whether molluscum or another skin condition is responsible.
What Does Molluscum Contagiosum Look Like?
Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin infection that typically causes small, flesh-colored or white bumps with a distinctive dimple in the center. It’s contagious but generally harmless.
Children can spread molluscum through skin-to-skin contact or by sharing contaminated objects. Summer camps, sports, swimming, and other close-contact activities can create plenty of opportunities for transmission. The bumps may become noticeable just as everyone heads back to school.
Can a Dermatologist Help With Molluscum?
Yes. A dermatology specialist can often identify molluscum simply by examining the bumps. Although molluscum can eventually clear without treatment, that process can take months. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that treatment may be recommended when molluscum is extremely bothersome or when a patient has eczema, numerous bumps with a weakened immune system, or lesions in the genital area.
Seeing a dermatologist in Loudoun County, VA, also helps parents avoid mistaking molluscum for another condition or experimenting with at-home products that could irritate the skin.
How Is Molluscum Treated?
Treatment depends on the child’s age, number and location of bumps, overall health, and other factors. Options can include in-office procedures or medications used at home.
Dermatology Center of Loudoun offers molluscum treatment that may include removal of individual bumps, liquid nitrogen, or topical medications. A dermatologist in Loudoun County, VA, or another member of the dermatology provider team can determine whether treatment is appropriate for your child.
When Should You See a Dermatologist in Loudoun County, VA?
Consider an evaluation when you aren’t sure what the bumps are, they’re spreading or bothersome, or your child has another skin condition such as eczema. Because molluscum spreads through contact, getting an accurate diagnosis also helps families take sensible steps to limit transmission.
Ready to Get Those Bumps Checked?
Back-to-school season comes with enough surprises. Mystery bumps don’t need to be one of them. Let the provider team at one of our two convenient locations help you eliminate the guesswork.
Serving our community in Ashburn, Leesburg, Lansdowne, South Riding, Stone Ridge, Aldie, and across Loudoun County, our team is committed to bringing the highest quality dermatology care in Northern Virginia. We understand how changes in your skin can impact your health and daily life, which is why we take the time to provide truly personalized evaluations and treatment plans.
Whenever possible, we offer same- or next-week appointments so you can receive timely, expert care when you need it most. Proudly accepting most major insurance providers, we make it easy to access comprehensive skin care close to home.
Schedule your visit at our website, or call 703-723-9751 to take the next step toward healthier skin and hair.
