Molluscum contagiosum is manifested by punctual lesions on the skin. They have the form of dome-shaped lumps with a characteristic depression in the middle, clogged with dead epithelial cells mixed with virus particles. However, the depression may not occur in all eruptions.
Skin lesions are between 1 and 5 millimetres. Their colour may be pearly, yellowish, flesh-coloured, pink, red. In children, lesions most often appear on the limbs and torso, in adults, however, they occur most commonly in the lower abdomen, on thighs and on private parts. Changes occur in clusters. If they are small (especially in children), it is difficult to observe depressions in papules. Pustules are not painful, but they can itch (by scratching, the virus may be transferred to other sites on the body of an infected person). The biggest concern for parents of children suffering from molluscum contagiosum (water warts) is the fear that the child will be for some time excluded from physical activity and spending time with other children, so they want a rapidly acting remedy.