Molluscum contagiosum is a common, mild viral skin infection caused by a poxvirus. It leads to small, smooth, round, flesh-colored or pink bumps on the skin, often with a central dimple. It is most common in children but can also occur in adults.
The infection spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact, shared personal items, or scratching and touching the lesions. It is more likely to spread in warm, humid conditions or in people with weakened immunity.
The bumps are usually painless but may become itchy or irritated. They commonly appear on the face, trunk, arms, and legs in children, and in the genital area in adults.
Molluscum contagiosum is generally harmless and often resolves on its own within months to a couple of years. Treatment, if needed, may include cryotherapy (freezing), topical medications, curettage, or laser therapy to remove lesions and prevent spreading.