Identifying unfamiliar growths on the skin can often lead to confusion, as many common conditions share visual similarities. This article aims to clarify what warts are and how to differentiate them from other common skin conditions that might look similar.
Understanding Warts
Warts are non-cancerous skin growths caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus enters the skin through small cuts or breaks, leading to extra cell growth that forms the wart. Warts typically appear as small, rough, and firm bumps, often flesh-colored. They may exhibit tiny black dots, which are clotted blood vessels. Warts can develop on various body parts, but are most frequently found on the hands, fingers, and feet.
Common Skin Conditions Mistaken for Warts
Several benign skin conditions can be confused with warts due to their appearance.
Seborrheic keratoses are common growths that often appear tan, brown, or black. They frequently have a “stuck-on” appearance and can feel waxy or scaly.
Moles are common skin growths that typically present as uniform spots. They are often brown or black, though they can also be flesh-colored or pink, and can be flat or slightly raised with a round or oval shape.
Skin tags are small, soft growths that are usually skin-colored or slightly brownish. They often hang off the skin by a narrow stalk.
Corns and calluses are areas of thickened, hardened skin. These develop in response to repeated friction or pressure and are commonly found on the hands and feet.
Molluscum contagiosum presents as small, firm, dome-shaped bumps. A distinguishing feature is a central dimple or indentation.
Key Differences and How to Tell Them Apart
Differentiating between warts and other skin growths involves examining specific features.
Seborrheic Keratoses
Seborrheic keratoses often have a distinctive “pasted-on” look, as if they could be scraped off, and may feel waxy or greasy. Unlike warts, which typically have small black dots from clotted capillaries, seborrheic keratoses lack this particular feature. Warts, in contrast, usually have a rough, bumpy, or cauliflower-like texture.
Moles
Moles are generally uniform in color and have smooth, well-defined borders. They lack the rough, irregular surface and the black dots that characterize warts. Moles originate from pigment-producing cells and can be present from birth or develop over time, whereas warts are caused by a viral infection.
Skin Tags
Skin tags are soft and flexible, often attached to the skin by a small stalk. Warts, however, tend to be firmer and more deeply rooted in the skin. Warts are contagious due to their viral origin, while skin tags are not.
Corns and Calluses
Corns and calluses develop on pressure points. They are thickened areas of skin without the black dots seen in warts. While corns and calluses are often painful when direct pressure is applied, warts on the feet are more likely to cause pain when squeezed from the sides.
Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum lesions are smooth and pearly, with a central dimple or indentation. This appearance differs from the rough, irregular surface often seen on warts. Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a poxvirus, which is distinct from the human papillomavirus that causes warts.
When to Consult a Doctor
While understanding the characteristics of various skin growths can be helpful, self-diagnosis may not always be accurate. Seeking professional medical advice is advisable for a precise diagnosis of any concerning skin lesion. Consult a healthcare provider if a skin growth changes in size, shape, or color. Professional evaluation is also recommended if a growth bleeds, becomes painful, or starts to itch. If there is any uncertainty about the nature of a skin growth, or if multiple new growths appear, a doctor can provide a definitive diagnosis and discuss appropriate management or treatment options.