Yes—water warts (molluscum contagiosum) can be treated with home care or dermatologist procedures based on age, symptoms, and goals.
Water warts, the common name for molluscum contagiosum, are small, pearly bumps with a tiny dimple in the center. In healthy kids and adults, they tend to fade on their own over months. Treatment helps when bumps itch, spread, leave marks, or cause social worries. This guide lays out home care, medical options, and smart hygiene so you can pick a plan that fits your family.
Fast Guide: Options At A Glance
| Method | Best Use | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Watchful Waiting | Mild cases; few bumps; patient unbothered | No prescription |
| Hygiene + Covering | Limit spread at school, sports, swimming | Home supplies |
| Prescription Berdazimer Gel 10.3% | At-home daily treatment for many lesions | Rx; once daily up to 12 weeks |
| In-Office Cantharidin (“beetle juice”) | Targeted removal on limited areas | Dermatology visit |
| Cryotherapy | Quick freezing of select bumps | Dermatology or clinic |
| Curettage | Instant removal by gentle scraping | Dermatology visit |
| Topical Retinoids (tretinoin/adapalene) | Thin skin-directed therapy; off-label | Rx or OTC (adapalene) |
| Specialist Care | Face, eyelids, groin, eczema flares, or weak immunity | Referral |
How To Treat Water Warts With A Step-By-Step Plan
Start with a goal: stop spread, speed clearance, or both. Many families combine strong hygiene with either watchful waiting or a medical route. Here’s a simple flow you can follow today.
Step 1: Protect Skin And Reduce Spread
- Skip squeezing or popping. That pushes material into nearby skin.
- Cover active bumps with a small bandage during contact sports or swimming.
- Use your own towels, razors, and clothing. Wash hands after touching lesions.
- Moisturize dry or itchy areas. Treat any eczema as directed by your clinician.
- Avoid shaving over bumps. Use clippers or trim around them instead.
Step 2: Decide Between Watchful Waiting And Active Treatment
Watchful waiting fits when bumps are few, painless, and not spreading. Kids often do well with this route. If bumps keep spreading, itch, get picked, or affect self-image, an active plan pays off.
Step 3: Pick A Medical Option When You Want Faster Results
Dermatology clinics can remove bumps during visits or prescribe at-home therapy. The main choices are below, with plain-language pros and cons. If you came searching for how to treat water warts, this section gives you a clear side-by-side view.
At-Home Therapy You Can Use After A Visit
Berdazimer Gel 10.3% (Zelsuvmi)
This prescription gel releases nitric oxide at the skin and is applied once daily to each lesion for up to 12 weeks. It’s cleared by the U.S. FDA for ages 1 and up. Ask about coverage and teach kids how to dab only the bump, not the surrounding skin. Review the official FDA prescribing information for dosing and safety.
Topical Retinoids (Tretinoin Or Adapalene)
These vitamin A creams thin the top layer of skin and can help the core come out. Use a tiny amount at night on each bump. Skin may sting or peel. Adapalene is OTC; tretinoin is prescription. Stop if skin becomes very sore and check in with your clinician.
Treating Around Eyes, Genitals, Or Very Sensitive Areas
These sites need a clinician’s plan. Avoid DIY acids or freezing there. A doctor may suggest delicate methods or choose to wait if bumps are quiet.
Clinic Procedures That Remove Bumps
Cantharidin Application
Clear liquid painted on the bump that forms a controlled blister within a day. The shell lifts, taking the core with it. It’s quick and doesn’t need needles. Tenderness the next day is common.
Cryotherapy
A brief freeze with liquid nitrogen. Each bump turns white, then pink. A scab may form. Spots can darken or lighten for a while, so many clinicians avoid this on brown and black skin.
Curettage
A tiny loop tool scoops out the core. Bleeding is minimal. Adults and older teens handle it well; small kids may need numbing.
Close Variant: Treating Water Warts On Kids’ Skin — Gentle Rules
Kids pick and scratch, so plans work best when simple. Cover bumps during play, keep nails short, and moisturize eczema-prone areas. Choose watchful waiting if the child is unbothered. Pick a clinic method or berdazimer when spread is picking up, the child is self-conscious, or daycare asks for faster clearance.
What To Expect: Timeline, Triggers, And When To Call
In many healthy people, bumps fade within 6–18 months. Some take longer. New spots can appear as older ones heal, which can feel like a loop. Stick with daily hygiene to break that loop. Call a clinician if you see redness that spreads, pus, fever, eyelid involvement, or if you live with a weak immune system.
Common Myths, Debunked
- Pool water does not “cause” the virus. Close skin contact and shared items spread it.
- You don’t need to stay home from school if bumps are covered and clean.
- Tea tree oil, toothpaste, and similar hacks sting and often irritate skin.
Evidence Snapshot: What Works Best?
Research shows many cases clear without treatment. Trials on various creams and clinic methods show mixed results, and no single method wins in every case. Berdazimer offers an at-home, once-daily option with trial data. Clinic methods give quicker spot-by-spot removal but need visits and aftercare.
| Approach | Upsides | Trade-Offs |
|---|---|---|
| Watchful Waiting | No cost; no pain; no marks from procedures | May take many months; spread can continue |
| Berdazimer Gel | At-home; treats many spots at once; once daily | Rx cost; local skin reactions can occur |
| Cantharidin | No needles; quick in clinic | Blister next day; repeat sessions common |
| Cryotherapy | Fast for a few lesions | Stings; pigment change risk |
| Curettage | Instant core removal | Brief bleeding; not ideal for small kids |
| Topical Retinoids | Widely available; helps bring out core | Irritation; off-label for this use |
| Specialist Care | Safe handling of eyelids, groin, many lesions | Referral and wait times |
Safe Skin Care While Lesions Heal
Daily Routine
- Shower after sports. Pat skin dry. Don’t share towels.
- Apply plain moisturizer to reduce itch and picking.
- Spot-clean cuts and cover them until closed.
During Any Treatment
- Follow the exact application schedule you were given.
- Keep gels and acids away from eyes and mucous membranes.
- Sun-protect healing skin to limit color change.
When A Doctor Visit Matters
Book a visit for eyelid bumps, lesions on genitals, fast spread, painful sores, or if you have eczema that flares around bumps. People with weak immunity need tailored care and closer follow-up.
Eczema Link And Flare Control
Kids with atopic skin tend to get more lesions. Cracked skin gives the virus easy entry, so daily moisture is a simple win. If a red, itchy rash forms around the bumps, a short course of a mild steroid cream may be used under medical guidance. Treating the rash cuts picking, and that slows spread.
Sports, School, And Pools
Cover any bump that rubs on mats, benches, or shared gear. Tape or a hydrocolloid dot works well. After swim class, rinse, pat dry, and change into clean clothes. Do not share towels or razors. Most schools allow attendance when lesions are covered.
Sample Weekly Action Plan
If you’ve asked how to treat water warts and you want a calendar you can follow, use this simple seven-day rhythm and repeat it for several weeks:
- Day 1: Quick check in bright light. Mark new bumps with a skin-safe pen. Cover high-friction spots.
- Day 2: Shower after play. Moisturize. Apply your chosen therapy to each spot.
- Day 3: Trim nails. Replace any bandages. Reapply therapy at night.
- Day 4: Laundry day for towels and sports gear. Skip shared bath toys.
- Day 5: Recheck spread. Add coverage for any bump that rubs under clothing.
- Day 6: Stick with the same routine. Take photos to track changes.
- Day 7: Rest day; gentle skin care only. Prep supplies for next week.
Costs And Access
Watchful waiting is free. Clinic methods carry visit fees. Berdazimer is a prescription; coverage varies by plan. Ask about prior authorization and copay help. If access is tight, a clinician may suggest simple retinoid use or in-office cantharidin on the most visible spots first.
Misdiagnosis: When Bumps Aren’t Molluscum
Folliculitis, milia, and flat warts can look similar. Pus-filled bumps, tender nodules, or a spreading rash that burns point to a different cause. A quick exam confirms the call. A scraping for the “molluscum body” is done in some clinics when the picture isn’t clear.
Trusted Sources For Deeper Reading
For prevention and natural course, see the CDC page on molluscum contagiosum. For medication details and dosing, read the FDA label for berdazimer gel.
Aftercare And Scar Minimization
Keep treated spots clean and dry for a day. Use petroleum jelly on tender areas to cut friction. If a blister forms after cantharidin, do not pop it; cover with gauze and let it settle. If a scab appears after freezing or curettage, leave it in place until it lifts on its own. Sun block helps new skin match nearby tone. Picking at shells or scabs makes marks last longer, so keep nails short and use soft cotton gloves at night for kids who scratch in their sleep.
When Not To Treat
Some bumps sit quietly and clear without fuss. If the number is small, the child is not bothered, and hygiene is solid, watchful waiting is a sound choice. Treatment is mainly aimed at comfort, spread control, and cosmetic worries. Skip harsh acids and home freezing kits on kids. If anything looks odd or painful, pause and get a quick check before trying a new method.
Bottom Line: A Clear Plan You Can Start Today
Pair hygiene with either watchful waiting or a medical route. Many families start with covering bumps, no picking, and moisturizer. Add berdazimer for broad at-home care, or ask a dermatologist about cantharidin, cryotherapy, or curettage for faster spot removal. With steady habits, most people see clean skin again.