How to Identify a Wart

Warts are common skin growths that affect up to 33% of children and about 3-5% of adults. While harmless, these bumpy growths can be uncomfortable or embarrassing. Knowing how to spot a wart helps you decide whether to treat it at home or see a dermatologist. This guide breaks down what warts look like, where they appear, and how to tell them apart from other skin conditions.

What Does a Wart Look Like?

Warts are small, rough growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They can appear anywhere on your body, but each type has distinct features that make it easier to identify.

Most warts share these common signs:

• Rough, grainy texture that feels different from normal skin

• Flesh-colored, white, pink, or slightly darker than your skin tone

• Small black dots in the center (these are tiny blood vessels, not dirt)

• Firm and slightly raised from the skin surface

Types of Warts and Where They Appear

Common Warts

These are the most frequent type you'll see. Common warts look like hard, raised bumps with a rough, cauliflower-like surface. They typically show up on your hands, especially around the knuckles, fingers, and nails. You might also find them on your knees.

Plantar Warts

Growing on the bottom of your feet, plantar warts look like small holes surrounded by thick, callused skin. Because of pressure from walking, they grow inward rather than outward. These warts can make walking uncomfortable and often have black dots visible on the surface.

Flat Warts

Smaller and smoother than other types, flat warts are only about 1/8 inch wide. They tend to grow in large groups of 20 to 100 at a time. You'll often see them on children's faces, men's beard areas, and women's legs.

Filiform Warts

These fast-growing warts look thread-like and spiky, sometimes resembling tiny brushes. They usually appear on your face, particularly around your mouth, eyes, and nose.

How to Tell Warts Apart from Other Skin Conditions

It's easy to confuse warts with other bumps and growths. Here's how to tell them apart:

Warts vs. Moles: Moles are usually brown or black, smooth, and uniform in color. Warts are flesh-colored and have a rough texture. You can also grow hair from a mole, but not from a wart.

Warts vs. Skin Tags: Skin tags are soft, hang by a thin stalk, and move easily when touched. Warts are firm, grow from the skin surface, and don't hang.

Warts vs. Calluses: Both can appear on your feet and feel hard, but warts have black dots and hurt when you squeeze them from the sides. Calluses are smooth, don't have black dots, and hurt when you press down on them.

When to See a Dermatologist

See a dermatologist if you're not sure whether you have a wart. Other skin conditions, including skin cancer, can look similar. You should also get professional help if:

• The wart bleeds, hurts, or changes in color or appearance

• Warts spread rapidly or appear in large numbers

• You have a wart on your face or genitals

• You have diabetes or a weakened immune system

• Home treatments don't work after several weeks

A dermatologist can confirm whether you have a wart and recommend the best treatment based on the type and location. Most warts are harmless and may go away on their own, but professional treatment can speed up the process and prevent spreading.