Quick Summary
- Molluscum contagiosum causes small, smooth, dome-shaped bumps with a characteristic central dimple (umbilication) — caused by a poxvirus.
- Warts are caused by HPV and tend to have a rougher, more textured or cauliflower-like surface without a central dimple.
- Both are contagious through direct skin contact and are especially common in children.
- Molluscum bumps are usually painless and skin-colored to pearly white; warts vary more in appearance depending on location and type.
- Both often resolve on their own eventually, but treatment can speed things up and reduce spread.
Molluscum contagiosum and warts are both extremely common viral skin infections, especially in kids, and both are contagious — but they're caused by entirely different viruses and have a distinguishing feature that makes them fairly easy to tell apart once you know what to look for.
What Molluscum Contagiosum Looks Like
Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a poxvirus and produces small, firm, dome-shaped bumps, usually skin-colored, pink, or pearly white. The signature feature is a small central dimple or indentation (called umbilication) visible on many of the bumps, especially larger ones. They're typically painless, though they can become itchy or irritated, and they spread easily through direct skin contact, shared towels, or scratching (which can spread the virus to new areas on the same person). It's most common in young children, sexually active adults, and anyone with a weakened immune system.
What Warts Look Like
Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and tend to have a rougher, more textured surface — sometimes described as cauliflower-like — without the central dimple seen in molluscum. Common warts often appear on the hands and fingers, while plantar warts occur on the soles of the feet and may have visible small black dots (clotted blood vessels). Like molluscum, warts spread through direct contact or contaminated surfaces and are especially common in school-age children.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Molluscum Contagiosum | Warts |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Poxvirus | HPV |
| Surface | Smooth, dome-shaped | Rough, textured, cauliflower-like |
| Central dimple | Often present | Absent |
| Color | Skin-colored to pearly white | Varies — flesh-toned, grayish |
| Typical age group | Young children most common | Common in children and adults |
Both Are Manageable — and Usually Not Urgent
Both conditions frequently resolve on their own within months to a couple of years as the immune system clears the virus, though treatment (cryotherapy, topical medication, or in-office removal) is often chosen to reduce spread to other areas or other people, especially with molluscum in households with multiple children.
Noticed new bumps that might be contagious?
Our board-certified dermatologists see patients at our Burien and Bellevue offices — same-week appointments are often available.
Schedule a Skin CheckWhen to See a Dermatologist
See a dermatologist if bumps are spreading rapidly, appearing near the eyes, causing significant irritation, or if you're simply not sure what you're looking at — especially important in a household with young kids or anyone with a weakened immune system, where these infections can be more extensive.