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Molluscum contagiosum guide

Molluscum contagiosum care online in Virginia and West Virginia

Photo-based reassurance and guidance for typical molluscum contagiosum in children age 4 and older and adults — molluscum is harmless and clears on its own, so watchful waiting with no medication is the recommended first approach.

Start online

Start a $59 online review for Molluscum contagiosum.

Molluscum contagiosum is a common, harmless viral skin condition that causes small, firm, dome-shaped bumps, often with a tiny central dimple. It clears on its own, usually within 6 to 18 months, so watchful waiting with no medication is the recommended first approach. This visit confirms the diagnosis from clear photos, gives skin-care and spread-prevention advice, and routes anything that needs hands-on care in person. It does not treat eyelid or eye bumps, widespread or atypical bumps, a weakened immune system, or genital bumps in a child.

If treatment is appropriate, your physician can send a non-controlled prescription to your pharmacy and provide portal instructions for the next step.

Quick facts

  • You must be physically in Virginia and West Virginia at the time of request
  • Starts at $59
  • No insurance needed
  • No app download
  • Physician review around the clock
  • Non-controlled prescriptions can be sent to your pharmacy when appropriate
  • A work or school note can be included when medically appropriate
  • Response windows: 24/7, every day

Common symptoms

  • Small, firm, flesh-colored or pearly bumps
  • A tiny central dimple in the middle of each bump
  • A cluster on the trunk, arms, legs, or face (not the eyes)
  • Bumps that are not painful and not bothering the eyes

May fit online care

  • Adults & children 4+ (with a parent or legal guardian)
  • Child age 4 or older with a parent or guardian, or an adult
  • Typical bumps that all look alike, with clear close-up photos
  • Looking for a diagnosis check, reassurance, and spread-prevention advice
  • Comfortable with watchful waiting, which is the recommended approach

Look for another care setting

  • Bumps on the eyelid, at the eyelid margin, or in or around the eye
  • Genital, groin, or perianal bumps in a child
  • A single bump that is bleeding, ulcerated, rapidly growing, dark, or clearly different
  • More than about 30 bumps, any bump larger than 1 cm, a weakened immune system, or signs of a skin infection

What to have ready

  • Clear close-up photos showing the individual bumps and their central dimple
  • Where the bumps are and about how many there are
  • How long the bumps have been present
  • Whether the child or adult has a condition that weakens the immune system

What happens next

Start the request on the website, answer the fit questions, and choose the response window you want. If the concern still fits this service, a physician reviews it and sends a secure update after sign-in. When appropriate, non-controlled prescriptions can be sent to your pharmacy, and a basic work or school note can be included at physician discretion.

Does molluscum need to be treated?

Usually not. Molluscum is harmless and clears on its own, typically within 6 to 18 months, so watchful waiting with no medication is the recommended first approach. This visit focuses on confirming the diagnosis and giving skin-care and spread-prevention advice.

How can I keep it from spreading?

Avoid scratching or picking the bumps, keep them covered when practical, and do not share towels, washcloths, or baths. The visit gives simple steps to lower the chance of spreading it to other areas or to other people.

When should molluscum be seen in person instead?

Please see a clinician in person for bumps on or near the eye, genital bumps in a child, a single bump that is bleeding, rapidly growing, dark, or clearly different from the others, more than about 30 bumps or any bump larger than 1 cm, a weakened immune system, or signs of a skin infection such as spreading redness with fever.