Molluscum contagiosum is a common virus infection of the skin which commonly occurs in children ages 1-8. The infection consists of small pink skin bumps that are typically found on the neck, arms, legs and trunk.
The virus is transmitted by touching an infected person or infected inanimate objects, such as towels, shower loofah and sporting equipment. The virus infection is highly contagious and tends to infect siblings rapidly (within a few weeks). Be familiar with molluscum stages and how it progresses.
Home Remedies for Molluscum Contagiosum
There has been anecdotal evidence and unconfirmed reports of patients using tea tree oil, iodine, colloidal oatmeal, colloidal silver, Vicks vapor rub, coconut oil, zinc oxide cream, apple cider vinegar, and essential oils as a treatment for molluscum contagiosum.
Unfortunately, there has been no evidence supporting the effectiveness of these treatments in randomized controlled studies. Therefore, the utility of these at-home remedies is difficult to assess.
Most of these are harmless to put on the skin and therefore low risk, however some essential oils and tea tree oil are known to cause irritant contact dermatitis, which can increase the risk of molluscum spreading through autoinoculation.
As a practicing dermatologist and expert in molluscum contagiosum, I generally recommend avoiding these treatments.
Home remedies are often touted as treatments for molluscum contagiosum virus infection on social media and the internet.
No published studies have evaluated the efficacy (effectiveness) and safety of these treatments for molluscum contagiosum. Home remedies in general can be unhelpful and ineffective at best, and even harmful at worst. In addition, there are currently no FDA approved treatments for molluscum.
Another alternative is Skin Bump Gone. Skin Bump Gone is clinically proven at home treatment for molluscum.
Are there any home-remedies for molluscum contagiosum that are effective?
There has been anecdotal evidence and unconfirmed reports of patients using tea tree oil, iodine, colloidal oatmeal, colloidal silver, Vick’s vapor rub, coconut oil, zinc oxide cream, apple cider vinegar, and essential oils as a treatment for molluscum contagiosum. Unfortunately, there have been no evidence supporting the effectiveness of these treatments in randomized controlled studies. Therefore, the utility of these at-home remedies is difficult to assess. Most of these are harmless to put on the skin and therefore low risk, however some essential oils and tea tree oil are known to cause irritant contact dermatitis, which can increase the risk of molluscum spreading through autoinoculation. As a practicing dermatologist and expert in molluscum contagiosum, I generally recommend to avoid these treatments.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is often recommended on social media for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum bumps. Apple cider vinegar is a type of vinegar made with crushed apples, yeast, and sugar. Vinegar (used in vinegar soaks that are applied to the skin) in general is often used in dermatology as an anti-bacterial agent and as a healing skin agent.
This particularly applies to wounded or abraded skin. There's not a lot of evidence for the effectiveness of treated molluscum contagiosum virus, however. In addition, apple cider vinegar is not useful for preventing the spread of this virus as well.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil, a natural essential oil steam distilled from the leaf of Melaleuca alternifolia , has long been used for centuries as an aboriginal traditional medicine in Australia for wounds and skin infection. It has been shown to have both anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, but not anti-viral.
It is commonly used (and effective) for dandruff as well as inflammation of the eyelash areas of the skin. Unfortunately, there's not a lot of evidence for the effectiveness in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum virus.
Tea tree oil will not stop the spread of molluscum contagiosum as well. Red and irritated skin is a common side effect of tea tree oil on the skin and, in the case of molluscum, this can contribute to increased spread of the virus because a person scratches this irritated skin and transfers the virus to an unaffected area through autoinoculation.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is often used on the skin for babies with cradle cap (seborrheic dermatitis). Coconut oil can be very hydrating to the skin and serve as an emollient in other skin conditions as well.
There is a scarcity of data regarding the treatment of molluscum with coconut. There are currently no randomized controlled trials evaluating its effectiveness. Therefore, the routine use of coconut oil is not recommended for the treatment of molluscum in children.
Essential Oils
Essential oils, including lavender and bergamot, are commonly used on the skin for a host of applications. There are currently no randomized controlled trials evaluating essential oil effectiveness in the treatment of molluscum and therefore they cannot be recommended at this time.
In addition, essential oils are common skin allergens in a large percentage of the population and can cause a poison ivy like rash. If this occurs around a molluscum bump after the essential oil is applied, it could lead to a rapid spread of the virus on a person’s skin due to scratching/itching and autoinoculation as a result.
Medical treatments for molluscum contagiosum
Cryotherapy: for molluscum contagiosum has been around for decades. It consists of going to a medical provider’s office, where he or she will spray or apply liquid nitrogen to each molluscum bump in a spot treatment fashion.
Since the liquid nitrogen is over 300 degree below zero, it will cause pain and a burning sensation immediately. This can be very emotionally traumatic for young children. Once applied, the burning sensation can turn into a throbbing sensation for hours.
Over the next few days, the skin areas will get red and swollen, and the skin bumps could blister and weep. Since the effectiveness is only 40-70%, it must be repeated over and over until all the bumps are gone.
Cryotherapy does not prevent the spread of the virus as well. In addition, scarring and skin coloration commonly occur after this treatment.
Scraping: Scraping of the molluscum bumps, also called curettage, involves the physical removal of the molluscum contagiosum bump with a curette (which is a sharp scraping instrument).
The discomfort and minor bleeding associated with this procedure can be disturbing and emotionally traumatic for some children. In addition there is a possibility of the development of small, depressed scars on the treated areas. Discoloration of the skin, temporary or permanent, can also occur. Treatment can be time-consuming due to the need to ease children's fears about the procedure and multiple treatments (and trips to the doctor’s office) are common.
Topical and injectable anesthetics used prior to curettage can reduce discomfort and facilitate treatment in some cases. Curettage is 30-55% effective and does not stop the spread of the molluscum infection.
Medications: Topical and oral medication are commonly used for the treatment of molluscum. These are currently not FDA approved. The medications are mainly used for other purposes (such as acne and genital warts) and some have been shown to be modestly effective for the treatment of molluscum, usually less than 30% cure rate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Treating Molluscum Contagiosum at Home
Does Vaseline help molluscum?
Vaseline is commonly used in a host of skin diseases, such as eczema, psoriasis and wounds. It is a very effective emollient, which locks in moisture and encourages wound healing. However, given the lack of published studies of benefit in molluscum, Vaseline is not recommended for the at-home treatment of molluscum contagiosum infection in children at this time.
Does hydrogen peroxide work in molluscum?
Despite its widespread use, hydrogen peroxide is generally unnecessary and not advised for the treatment of molluscum in children. It has minimal action against virus (as well as bacteria) and some additives impede wound healing and have other adverse effects. This, in addition to the lack of medical evidence supporting its effectiveness, is mainly the reason hydrogen peroxide is a poor treatment for molluscum contagiosum virus infection.