YouBelong Pediatrics in Suwanee, GA treats common warts and molluscum contagiosum in children in the office, with gentle options chosen for your child's age and comfort. We'll also help you decide whether to treat now or let them clear on their own.
What we treat: common warts (hands, fingers, knees), plantar warts (soles of the feet), flat warts, and molluscum contagiosum
Treatment options: Cantharidin treatment by physician
Visits: many children need more than one treatment, usually a few weeks apart
Waiting is OK: many warts and molluscum go away on their own. We'll help you weigh the options.
Warts are caused by common skin strains of HPV. They're rough, skin-colored bumps, sometimes with tiny black dots. Plantar warts on the soles can hurt when walking. Many warts go away on their own within 1 to 2 years.
Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a different virus. The bumps are small, smooth, and pearly, often with a tiny dimple in the center. They usually come in groups on the trunk, arms, legs, or behind the knees, and are more common in children with eczema. Molluscum often lasts about a year and can last longer.
Good to know: when molluscum bumps turn red and swollen, it is often a sign that the body is starting to clear them, not an infection. If you're unsure, we're happy to take a look.
Reasons to treat: the bumps hurt, itch, spread quickly, are on the face, or bother your child.
Reasons to wait: there are only a few and they don't bother your child.
Don't pick, scratch, or shave over bumps.
Cover bumps with clothing or a bandage for sports and swimming.
Use separate towels, and bathe siblings separately until the bumps clear.
Wear sandals in locker rooms and pool areas to help prevent plantar warts.
Keep eczema under control, because scratching spreads molluscum.
Children with warts or molluscum don't need to miss school or daycare.
Yes. Both spread through skin contact and shared towels, and children can spread them to other parts of their own body by scratching.
Yes. Cover visible bumps with a waterproof bandage, and don't share towels or kickboards.
Scarring is rare. A treated spot may look lighter or darker for a while before it fades.
For warts that keep coming back after several treatments, bumps near the eyes or in the diaper area, or a child with a weakened immune system. We'll examine your child and make the referral if needed.
Yes, treatment is billed to insurance like other office visits.
We are here to help. Call (770) 585-0190 to schedule an appointment or register online
Reviewed by Dr. Rabia Akbar, MD, board-certified pediatrician · Last reviewed September 2026
