In the US, a child’s water warts (molluscum contagiosum) can mean a clinic visit and a prescription gel listed at around $1,970 cash; in Korea, many moms buy a ₩20,000 bottle of Job’s tears candy and wait.
Short answer:
- Korean parents often give kids a Job’s tears (yulmu) chewable for water warts. Dolphini Wart is one.
- It is a food, not a medicine. No good trial shows it beats a dummy powder, and most water warts fade on their own, on average in 6 to 18 months [[1]](https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/molluscum-contagiosum-overview).
- Visiting Korea with a child who has eczema, itchy skin or water warts? See below.
Why do Korean moms buy Job’s tears candy for water warts?
Korean shopping sites sell several Job’s tears chewables for children with 물사마귀 (water warts).
The idea comes mostly from Japan, where hatomugi has been a folk “wart taker” since the 1700s. But Japan’s prescription version is approved for common and flat warts, not water warts (more in what hatomugi is).
What do Korean parents say about it?
These are shopping reviews, not evidence — see my note at the end.
Selected reviews, translated from Korean shopping reviews on Danawa, 2019–2021, usernames masked.
“My second child had bad water warts. The dermatologist removed more than 20 over two visits. Someone mentioned this, so I bought it… It’s only been a few days.” (March 2019)
“My child had lots of tiny bumps on the face. After 3 months it got much better.” (October 2021)
“My child has water warts on the face. People said it was good, so I ordered it, partly for immunity.” (October 2021)
All three are for another brand; on Dolphini Wart’s store, a parent wrote: “Ordered because of my child’s water warts.”
Most water warts fade by themselves, so reviews cannot tell the candy from time. My clinical reading, not a proven fact.
What is Dolphini Wart?
Photo: the maker’s official store.
- What’s in it: per the maker’s store, a chewable candy with 60% Job’s tears concentrate powder and no synthetic flavouring.
- What it is: per the label on the maker’s photo, a sugar-based processed food, not a medicine or a health supplement. 100 tablets of 500 mg.
- Price: ₩20,000 for 100 (maker’s store, October 2026).
- Where to buy: Korean online shops, including the maker’s store. Not on Amazon US that I found.
What water warts treatment do US doctors offer?
The FDA-approved options are cantharidin (Ycanth), applied in the office (age 2+), and berdazimer (Zelsuvmi), a home gel (age 1+) [[2]](https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/molluscum-contagiosum-treatment). Both need a prescription; Drugs.com lists the gel at around $1,970 cash for 31 g [[3]](https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/zelsuvmi).
Visiting Korea with a child who has eczema, itchy skin or water warts?
Quick answer for parents visiting Korea
- Water warts: a Job’s tears chewable like Dolphini Wart, as a food. I found no pharmacy product licensed for them.
- Eczema or dry skin: a kids’ moisturiser from Olive Young (two below).
- Itchy skin: pharmacy anti-itch gels for kids (diphenhydramine). Ask the pharmacist and read the age limit.
The three are linked: children with eczema catch water warts more easily [[1]](https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/molluscum-contagiosum-overview), and itchy, dry skin gets scratched, which spreads the bumps [[4]](https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/molluscum-contagiosum-tips).
Which Korean eczema cream for kids?
Most are moisturisers, not medicines. Both sell at Olive Young, whose global site does not ship to the US; buy in store or on Amazon.
Photo: the maker’s official store.
Atopalm MLE Cream is a barrier cream the brand markets for children. Per the brand’s site, it was Korea’s first cosmetic certified for skin-barrier function.
Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream is a ceramide moisturiser Korean parents buy for kids.
See my Olive Young and Daiso guide.
What I tell my patients about water warts at home
- New bumps? A doctor looks first.
- No scratching or picking, and separate towels and bath time for siblings [[4]](https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/molluscum-contagiosum-tips).
- Tell your doctor before any supplement, and come back if bumps turn red, sore or oozing.
FAQ
What is the best water warts treatment at home for kids?
Often patient waiting: most fade in 6 to 18 months. The approved home option is a prescription gel; Job’s tears candy is not proven.
Is there an over-the-counter cream for water warts?
Not an FDA-approved one; both approved treatments need a prescription. A moisturiser for itchy skin can mean less scratching.
Are water warts in kids contagious?
Yes, until all the bumps go away, says the AAD. They spread by skin contact and shared towels, so siblings need separate towels.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This article contains affiliate links: if you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It does not change what I recommend.
References
- American Academy of Dermatology. Molluscum contagiosum: Overview. aad.org
- American Academy of Dermatology. Molluscum contagiosum: Diagnosis and treatment. aad.org
- Drugs.com. Zelsuvmi prices, coupons and patient assistance (accessed 1 October 2026). drugs.com
- American Academy of Dermatology. Molluscum contagiosum: Tips for managing. aad.org
- Clinical Research Group for Coix Seed. Therapeutic effect of coix seed (Yokuinin) extract powder on molluscum contagiosum. Skin Research 1987;29(4):762-773. doi:10.11340/skinresearch1959.29.762
- WebMD. Job’s Tears: uses, side effects and safety. webmd.com
Disclaimer: I write about cosmetics and shops based on clinical experience. Product mentions reflect my clinical opinion; availability and formulas change, so check the current label. Skin responds differently from person to person, so patch test anything new, and see a doctor about a skin condition.
14 years in practice · replies to messages herselfPhysician in non-surgical aesthetic medicine, practising in Ansan, South Korea. Every article here is written from clinical practice and the published literature.
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