Quick Facts About Molluscum Treatment in Forest Hills
Here's what families should know before booking a visit.
Practice Lead
Dr. Michael Paltiel, MD Board-Certified Dermatologist
Cause
Molluscum contagiosum virus (poxvirus family)
Patient Ages
Pediatric and adult treatment
Treatments Offered
Curettage (scraping), cryotherapy, topical medications
Insurance
Most major plans accepted
Location
Forest Hills, Queens, NY (call 718.896.3376 or book online)
Which Molluscum Concern Is Yours?
Find the answer that fits your situation, then bring it to your visit.
My child has molluscum bumps spreading. When should we treat them?
Many cases self-resolve in 6 to 12 months. Treatment is recommended when bumps spread, get irritated, or appear in visible areas. The team treats children gently.
I'm an adult with molluscum in the genital area. Is that treated differently?
Genital-area molluscum is treated as a contact-spread condition. The team handles it with discretion and uses the same gentle removal options.
Will molluscum leave scars after treatment?
Properly performed curettage or cryotherapy rarely scars when bumps are small. Larger or irritated bumps may leave minor marks that fade.
Are molluscum bumps contagious to siblings?
Yes through direct skin contact and shared towels. Keep affected skin covered and don't share linens during the outbreak.
How long does each removal visit take?
Most visits last 15 to 30 minutes. The provider numbs the treatment area first.Educational information only. Schedule a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment options personalized to you.Medically reviewed by Dr. Michael Paltiel, MD, Board-Certified Dermatologist | 17+ Years Experience | Last Updated: May 2026
Those little bumps, gently cleared
If you or your child develops firm, round, painless bumps, it may be molluscum, a common viral skin condition that can spread if left alone. At Adult and Pediatric Dermatology in Forest Hills, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michael Paltiel and the team diagnose and treat molluscum gently, with special care for young children.
What is molluscum?
Molluscum, also called mollucsum contagiosum, is a skin condition that results from a viral infection and produces painless bumps on the skin. The infection can spread to other parts of your body or to other people by skin-to-skin contact. Molluscum affects kids and adults. It’s considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD) if the condition develops in your genital area.
Clear up molluscum gently
Schedule today and let our team remove molluscum gently, with extra care for kids.
Most Major Insurances Accepted
Please call our office if you do not see your insurance plan listed below. If your insurance plan requires you to obtain a referral from your primary care doctor, please obtain one prior to your visit or call our office to ask if a referral or authorization is needed for your insurance. If referral is not available at the time of the visit, your appointment will be rescheduled.
- 1199 National Benefit Fund
- Aetna
- Cigna
- Coventry
- Empire Plan
- Fidelis
- First Health
- HealthFirst
- Medicare
- Oxford
- Tricare East
- United Healthcare
What are the symptoms of molluscum?
Common symptoms of molluscum include skin bumps that are:
Flesh-colored or red
Round
Raised
Small
Inflamed
Itchy
Indented at the top
Molluscum spots often appear on the hands, face, arms, armpits, and neck. They can also develop on the genitals, inner thighs, lower abdomen, and eyelids.
Touching the molluscum and then your eye can cause pink eye. Scratching the molluscum bumps can cause them to become infected.
Read Our Reviews
"Great experience with the NP will definitely come back!"
Shelly Manahimov"Highly recommend. Excellent care. Courteous and competent staff."
Thomas Turberville"It does not get better than the doctors and staff here. Polite, caring, comforting, and down right top notch professional. If you want to love a doctor's visit, this place is for you."
Darrell GilbertWhat are the risk factors for molluscum?
Molluscum spreads by skin-to-skin contact. You could develop it after being in close contact with another person, having sexual contact with an infected person, or from towels or other shared objects.
Your risk of getting molluscum increases if you have a weak immune system. Ways to lower your chance of contracting it include washing your hands, not touching molluscum bumps, avoiding sexual contact with infected partners, and not sharing personal items.
How does my doctor diagnose molluscum?
To find out if you have molluscum, your dermatologist discusses your medical history, lifestyle, and symptoms. They examine areas of your skin containing bumps and might take skin scrapings to examine under a microscope to confirm a molluscum diagnosis.
How is molluscum treated?
Adult and Pediatric Dermatology offers several treatments to eliminate the skin bumps caused by molluscum. Examples include scraping, freezing, and medications. Your doctor will numb the treatment area to avoid discomfort during the procedure.
Without treatment, molluscum could clear up on its own after about 6-12 months. However, you can develop new bumps for up to five years. When you have no more new molluscum bumps, you’re no longer contagious.
If you have new or unusual skin bumps and you suspect that it could be molluscum, call the Adult and Pediatric Dermatology office today or schedule an appointment online.
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please schedule a consultation with our team to discuss your individual needs.
Meet Your Forest Hills Molluscum Specialist
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“Dr. Patel is extremely gentle and patient with my son who is 5 years old.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Molluscum Contagiosum
Schedule Your Consultation in Forest Hills, Queens
Call our Forest Hills office at 718-896-3376 or book your appointment online today.
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please schedule a consultation with our team to discuss your individual needs.