Warts and molluscum contagiosum are among the chief reasons children will visit a dermatologist. Both are the result of a superficial viral infection of the skin. Warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), and molluscum is due to the molluscum contagiosum virus, a large poxvirus. Both viruses are entirely localized to the skin (dermatotrophic) and do not cause systemic illness. Lesions are spread via skin-to-skin or skin-to-fomite contact and via autoinoculation. Despite frequent parental insistence in finding the source of infection, it is often not possible to discover a definitive source as both of these viruses are ubiquitous in the environment and highly prevalent among school-aged children.

Parents should be reassured that warts and molluscum are benign, albeit annoying, skin conditions that are temporary and usually self-resolve over time. Treatment is often required to prevent further spread or if lesions become symptomatic or are a cosmetic issue.

Superficial cutaneous infection with the herpes simplex virus can present in childhood as herpetic gingivostomatitis, herpes labialis, a focal skin infection or eczema herpeticum. Neonatal herpes simplex is a rare but potentially fatal disease that occurs when a newborn acquires the infection at birth. Oftentimes, the initial infection with herpes simplex in children is asymptomatic but the herpes virus remains latent in the sensory root ganglion and can be reactivated later in life. Superficial skin infections with herpes simplex are characterized by painful vesicles on an erythematous base and may require both antiviral therapy as well as oral analgesics.