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Number 2 Medical Dermatology
(Chronic & Inflammatory Skin Diseases)

Number 1 Skin Cancer & Pre-Cancer Care
Number 1 Medical Dermatology
(Chronic & Inflammatory Skin Diseases)
Number 3 Pigment & Lesion Disorders
Number 4 Non-Cancer Growth
Number 5 Surgical Dermatology (Non-Cancer Procedures)
Number 6 Cosmetic Dermatology
Warts, Molluscum & Fungal Infections PDF

• Warts, Molluscum & Fungal Infections

(Common contagious skin conditions we diagnose and treat)

Overview

Skin infections are very common—especially in children, athletes, and anyone with close skin-to-skin contact. Three frequent causes we treat are:

  1. Warts (caused by certain types of HPV)

  2. Molluscum contagiosum (a common poxvirus infection)

  3. Fungal infections (like ringworm/tinea, athlete’s foot, and jock itch)

These conditions are usually treatable and often improve faster with the right diagnosis and plan.

1. Warts

What are they?

Warts are rough, thickened bumps caused by a virus that infects the top layer of skin.

Common types

  • Common warts (hands/fingers)

  • Plantar warts (feet—can feel like stepping on a pebble)

  • Flat warts (small, smooth—often face/arms/legs)

  • Genital warts (treated differently—please ask for a dedicated visit)

How they spread

By direct contact or shared surfaces (gym floors, towels). Small skin breaks make it easier for the virus to enter.

2. Molluscum Contagiosum

What is it?

Molluscum causes small, smooth, pearly bumps—often with a tiny central dimple. It’s common in children but can occur in adults too.

How it spreads

Skin-to-skin contact, shared towels, sports equipment, and sometimes through shaving or scratching (it can “seed” to nearby skin).

3. Fungal Infections (Tinea)

What are they?

Fungal infections (often called tinea) can affect skin, feet, groin, scalp, or nails.

Common examples

  • Ringworm (tinea corporis): circular, scaly rash with a more active border

  • Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis): itchy scaling between toes or on soles

  • Jock itch (tinea cruris): itchy groin rash

  • Scalp fungus (tinea capitis): scaling + broken hairs (more common in kids)

  • Nail fungus: thickened/discolored nails (requires a specific workup and plan)

How We Diagnose These Conditions

Diagnosis is often made with:

  • A focused skin exam (sometimes with magnification/dermoscopy)

  • If needed:

    • A quick skin scraping test for fungus

    • Culture or other testing in select cases

    • Sometimes we evaluate for look-alike conditions (eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis)

Treatment Options

Your treatment depends on which condition you have, the location, and how many spots are present.

1. Treatment: Warts

Common options may include:

  • In-office freezing (cryotherapy)

  • Topical treatments (office-prescribed or guided OTC options)

  • Targeted treatments for stubborn warts (varies by site and age)

2. Treatment: Molluscum

Options depend on age, location, and number of lesions:

  • Watchful waiting in some cases (it can resolve over time)

  • In-office treatments to speed clearance (when appropriate)

  • Guidance to reduce spreading (very important)

3. Treatment: Fungal infections

  • Topical antifungal medication for many skin/foot/groin infections

  • Oral antifungal medication in select cases (for scalp infection, extensive disease, or certain nail infections)

  • Hygiene and prevention steps to reduce recurrence

Pre-Op Instructions (Before Your Visit / Treatment)

(Not surgery—these are “before treatment” tips.)

Before your appointment

  • Don’t cover the area with heavy makeup or thick ointments right before the visit.

  • Bring a list of what you’ve tried (creams, sprays, home remedies).

  • If you suspect a fungal infection:

    • Avoid applying antifungal cream for 24 hours before your visit if possible (helps us evaluate and test).

  • Wear clothing that makes the area easy to examine (hands/feet/groin/scalp).

If an in-office procedure is planned (like freezing)

Tell us if you:

  • Take blood thinners or bruise easily

  • Have circulation problems in hands/feet or nerve issues

  • Have a history of strong reactions to prior freezing treatments

Post-Op Instructions (After Treatment)

After wart or molluscum freezing (cryotherapy)

What’s normal

  • Redness, swelling, tenderness

  • A blister may form and then crust

  • Healing often takes 1–2+ weeks depending on location

Care

  • Keep it clean; gentle soap and water is fine

  • Do not pick at blisters or scabs

  • Cover with a bandage if it rubs on clothing/shoes

  • Call us if you have increasing warmth, pus, fever, or worsening pain

After topical treatments (warts/molluscum/fungus)

  • Use exactly as directed (consistency matters)

  • Avoid harsh scrubbing

  • Wash hands after applying medication unless treating hands

Preventing spread and recurrence (key!)

  • Don’t share towels, razors, socks, shoes, or nail clippers

  • Keep feet dry; change socks daily

  • Wear shower shoes in gyms/pools

  • Avoid scratching; keep nails short

  • For molluscum: avoid shaving over bumps and cover lesions for sports when possible

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Warts, Molluscum, & Fungal contagious?

Yes—all three can spread through contact or shared surfaces. The good news: treatment plus prevention steps can greatly reduce spread.

They can look similar. In general:

  • Warts: rough/raised, can have tiny black dots, common on hands/feet

  • Molluscum: smooth, dome-shaped bumps with a small central dimple

  • Fungus: scaly, itchy rash (often ring-shaped on body or between toes)
    A quick exam is often the fastest way to confirm.

Some do, but it can take months to years. Treatment often speeds improvement—especially for painful plantar warts or spreading warts.

Scratching, rubbing, and shaving can spread it to nearby skin. We’ll show you how to reduce “autoinoculation” and discuss treatment options.

No. “Ringworm” is a nickname for a fungal infection that often forms a ring-like rash.

See a dermatologist promptly if:

  • It’s on the scalp (especially in children)

  • It’s widespread, painful, oozing, or not improving

  • You have diabetes, immune suppression, or frequent recurrences

Often yes. Many mild fungal infections and some warts can start with OTC care—but if it’s persistent, spreading, painful, or unclear, a medical evaluation saves time and frustration.

Call if you have:

  • Severe blistering, increasing pain, spreading redness

  • Drainage/pus, fever

  • A rash that rapidly worsens or spreads despite treatment