Molluscum Contagiosum in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Molluscum contagiosum is a mild skin infection caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV). It is common in children and can also affect teens and adults, including sexually active adults in Grand Rapids.

In West Michigan, parents often notice these small bumps on their child’s skin after swimming lessons, school sports, or shared bath time. While the condition can be bothersome and sometimes embarrassing, it is usually harmless and clears on its own.

How Molluscum Contagiosum Spreads

Molluscum contagiosum spreads through direct contact with the virus. In Grand Rapids, common ways it spreads include:

  • Close skin-to-skin contact, especially among children in:
    • Daycare and preschool settings
    • School sports and gym classes
  • Sexual skin-to-skin contact in teens and adults (considered a sexually transmissible infection when on or near the genital area)
  • Touching contaminated objects, such as:
    • Shared towels and washcloths
    • Bath toys and pool toys
    • Gym equipment and wrestling mats
    • Clothing or bedding
  • Scratching or shaving over bumps, which can spread the virus to nearby skin

Because Grand Rapids has many indoor pools and gyms used year-round (especially in winter), shared surfaces and moist environments can make it easier for the virus to spread if good hygiene is not followed.

Symptoms of Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum usually causes small, firm, raised bumps on the skin.

Typical features:

  • Size: about 1–5 mm in diameter
  • Color: flesh-colored, pink, or pearly
  • Texture: smooth and dome-shaped
  • Center: often has a tiny central indentation (dimple or core)
  • Sensation: usually painless, may be mildly itchy

Common locations:

  • Thighs
  • Buttocks
  • Groin and genital area
  • Lower abdomen
  • In children, sometimes on arms, trunk, or face

The bumps can be few or many and may slowly increase in number if the virus spreads by scratching or shaving.

Is Molluscum Contagiosum Serious?

For most healthy children and adults in Grand Rapids, molluscum contagiosum is:

  • Mild
  • Not dangerous
  • Self-limiting – it will eventually go away on its own

Without any treatment, the infection typically:

  • Lasts 6–18 months
  • Clears completely as the immune system fights off the virus

Complications are rare, but may include:

  • Redness and irritation if the bumps are scratched
  • Secondary bacterial infection if the skin is broken from picking
  • More persistent or widespread lesions in people with a weakened immune system

Diagnosing Molluscum Contagiosum in Grand Rapids

No Lab Test Is Usually Needed

There is no routine blood test for molluscum contagiosum. It is usually diagnosed by a healthcare professional based on how the bumps look.

Your doctor or clinician will:

  • Examine the skin lesions
  • Look for the characteristic small, dome-shaped bumps with a central dimple
  • Ask about recent contacts, swimming, sports, or sexual activity (for adults)

Molluscum contagiosum can sometimes be mistaken for:

  • Genital warts
  • Pimples or folliculitis
  • Other skin infections

If the bumps are in the genital area, your provider may recommend testing for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as a precaution.

Where to Get Diagnosed in Grand Rapids

If you notice unusual skin bumps, especially on your child or in the genital area, contact:

  • Your primary care provider or family doctor
  • Pediatricians at major systems like:
    • Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) in Grand Rapids
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Dermatology clinics in Grand Rapids
  • Sexual health or STI clinics via:
    • Kent County Health Department
    • Grand Rapids Public Health resources

Treatment Options for Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum will usually clear on its own, but treatment can help:

  • Reduce how long the bumps last
  • Lower the chance of spreading to others
  • Improve comfort and appearance

1. Watchful Waiting (No Active Treatment)

For many children and healthy adults in Grand Rapids, doctors may recommend:

  • No active treatment, just monitoring
  • Keeping the skin clean and avoiding scratching

The virus typically clears within 6–18 months. This option avoids discomfort from procedures and is often chosen for young children.

2. Cryotherapy (Liquid Nitrogen Freezing)

One of the most common treatments in local clinics is cryotherapy:

  • A clinician applies liquid nitrogen to each bump
  • The cold temperature freezes and destroys the lesion
  • The area may blister or scab, then heal over 1–2 weeks

Key points:

  • Often only one treatment is needed, though some people may require repeat visits
  • The procedure can be slightly painful or sting briefly
  • This is considered cosmetic, not a cure for the virus itself
    • The virus remains in the skin until your immune system clears it

Cryotherapy is available through:

  • Primary care and family medicine practices
  • Dermatology clinics
  • Sexual health/STI clinics in Grand Rapids

3. Topical Prescription Creams

Your doctor may prescribe topical creams to apply directly to the bumps, such as:

  • Immune-modulating creams
  • Other agents that help remove the lesions

These creams:

  • Are applied once daily or as directed
  • May take several weeks to work
  • Can sometimes cause mild redness or irritation

Topical treatment is often used when:

  • There are many lesions
  • Cryotherapy is not preferred (for example, in small children)
  • The bumps are in sensitive areas

Molluscum Contagiosum and the Immune System

In people with a suppressed immune system (for example, due to certain medications, HIV, or other medical conditions), molluscum contagiosum:

  • May be more widespread
  • May take longer to clear
  • May require more active treatment and follow-up

If you have an immune condition and notice suspicious skin lesions, seek care from:

  • Your primary care provider in Grand Rapids
  • Infectious disease or dermatology specialists at:
    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health

Preventing the Spread of Molluscum Contagiosum

Everyday Hygiene Tips

To reduce the risk of spreading molluscum contagiosum to others or to other parts of your body:

  • Do not pick, squeeze, or scratch the bumps
  • Avoid shaving, trimming, or waxing over affected areas
  • Keep the skin clean and dry with normal bathing
  • Do not share:
    • Towels, washcloths, razors
    • Clothing or sports uniforms
    • Bath toys or pool toys
  • Cover visible lesions with clothing or a bandage if participating in contact sports (e.g., wrestling, basketball)

In Grand Rapids, where kids are active in school sports, YMCA programs, and indoor winter activities, coaches and parents should:

  • Encourage handwashing
  • Discourage sharing personal items
  • Have suspicious skin lesions checked by a healthcare provider

Molluscum Contagiosum and Swimming

Because Grand Rapids families often use indoor pools during long Michigan winters:

  • Children with molluscum contagiosum can usually still swim, but:
    • Cover bumps with waterproof bandages if possible
    • Avoid sharing towels and goggles
    • Shower before and after swimming

Molluscum Contagiosum and Sex

When molluscum contagiosum appears on or near the genitals, pubic area, or lower abdomen in adults, it can be transmitted through sexual contact.

To reduce the risk of transmission:

  • Use condoms (external or internal) during sexual activity
    • Note: condoms reduce but do not completely eliminate risk, because bumps may be on skin not covered by the condom
  • Avoid sexual contact if you or your partner have visible, unexplained bumps until evaluated
  • Get tested for other STIs if molluscum contagiosum is diagnosed in the genital area

Adults and teens in Grand Rapids can access confidential STI testing and sexual health services through:

  • Kent County Health Department
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and affiliated clinics
  • Sexual health services within:
    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health

When to See a Doctor in Grand Rapids

Schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider if:

  • You or your child have new or unexplained skin bumps
  • The bumps are near the eyes or genitals
  • The lesions become red, painful, or oozing, which may signal infection
  • You have a weakened immune system
  • You are concerned about cosmetic appearance or spread to others

Local Resources and Providers

For evaluation and treatment of molluscum contagiosum in Grand Rapids, consider:

  • Primary care / family medicine clinics across the city
  • Pediatric practices for children and teens
  • Dermatology clinics for specialized skin care
  • Sexual health and STI clinics via:
    • Kent County Health Department
    • Grand Rapids Public Health programs

These providers can:

  • Confirm the diagnosis
  • Discuss whether treatment is needed
  • Provide cryotherapy or prescribe topical medications
  • Offer guidance on preventing spread in your home, school, or sports team

Key Points About Molluscum Contagiosum in Grand Rapids

  • Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin infection caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV).
  • It is common in children, and can also affect sexually active teens and adults.
  • It causes small, firm, dome-shaped bumps (1–5 mm), often with a central dimple.
  • Bumps usually appear on the thighs, buttocks, groin, genitals, and abdomen.
  • The infection is self-limiting and often clears within 6–18 months without treatment.
  • Treatment options in Grand Rapids include watchful waiting, cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen), and topical prescription creams.
  • Good hygiene, avoiding scratching, and not sharing personal items help prevent spread.
  • Local healthcare providers, including major systems like Corewell Health (Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, and Metro Health, as well as Kent County Health Department, can diagnose and manage molluscum contagiosum.