What is the difference between moles warts and skin tags?

Medically reviewed by Dr Youssef

There are several types of skin lesions that are common and benign—meaning non-cancerous. They’re just confusing, annoying and sometimes get uncomfortable.

So, before you schedule a removal, here’s how you can spot the difference between warts, moles and skin tags:

Warts

If you observe a small growth on your body, which looks like a small cauliflower or solid blister with a rough texture, it is most likely a wart. Warts can pop up on your knees, hands and bottom of your feet. However, they lie deep in the skin, unlike moles—they’re thick, callus-like and scaly underneath.

Warts are typically caused by viruses in the HPV (human papillomavirus) family, and like most viruses, warts are contagious. The presence of a wart on your body may indicate that you came in contact with someone with a wart virus, whether by using the same towel or physically touching.

Studies show that 1 in 10 people in the UK are likely to have warts at any one time. One in three children have warts, often transferred through contact with infected skin, but they’re usually harmless. Plantar warts appear as thickened skin on the soles, while palmar warts affect the hands similarly. Early removal reduces the risk of spreading the virus to others. CryoPen freezes warts, destroying virus-containing cells for fast and effective wart treatment.

Skin tags

A skin tag is a benign, tiny outpouching of the skin, usually connected by a thin stalk. They look like flaps of “hanging” skin, typically appearing on areas where there’s most skin-to-skin friction. They often appear on places where clothing rubs against the skin, like armpits, neck, body folds, groin and upper trunks. The good news is that skin tags are harmless!

It’s important to note here that while warts are usually flat on top but go deeper in to the skin, skin tags are like a little ball of skin dangling from the underlying surface. Skin tags aren’t present at birth, rather men and women develop skin tags with age. You can still have skin tags removed and again, this can be done painlessly and effectively with Cryopen at Simply Clinics.

Moles

Moles are skin growths that are usually black or brown in color. Moles can either appear alone, or in groups on the skin. Most moles appear during first 25 years of a person’s life or during their early childhood.  While some moles may change in color over time, others slowly disappear.

Moles occur when cells grow in clusters in the skin, rather than being spread throughout. You may even notice that moles darken during pregnancy, exposure to the sun or during the teen years.

CryoPen™ is a pain-free and quick technology that removes a wide range of skin imperfections including warts and skin tags. You can have any of the above skin lesions removed easily with this treatment, with prices being very affordable. Visit our website now to book an appointment or call us at 02083523523.

Our skin clinics across Hammersmith, Southgate and Uxbridge also also offer laser hair removal treatments, micro needling and many other skincare and aesthetic services.