Wart vs. Mole — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 16, 2024
A wart is a small, rough growth caused by a viral infection, often on the hands or feet, while a mole is a skin lesion made of pigmented cells, typically benign and often appearing as brown spots. Both are skin growths but differ in cause and appearance.
Difference Between Wart and Mole
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Key Differences
A wart is a small, rough growth on the skin caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). These lesions can appear anywhere on the body but are commonly found on the hands and feet. Moles, on the other hand, are benign skin lesions formed by clusters of melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing pigment in the skin. Moles are typically brown or black and can appear anywhere on the body.
Warts are contagious and can spread through direct contact or shared surfaces. They often have a rough texture and may resemble tiny cauliflowers or solid blisters. Moles are usually not contagious and have a smoother texture. They can be flat or raised and are generally round or oval-shaped.
Warts can be painful, especially when located on pressure points like the soles of the feet. Moles are typically painless but should be monitored for changes in size, shape, or color, as these changes can indicate skin cancer.
Wart treatment options include over-the-counter medications, cryotherapy, and laser therapy. Moles generally do not require treatment unless they cause discomfort or show signs of malignancy, in which case they might be surgically removed.
Warts are often considered a cosmetic concern due to their appearance and potential for spreading. Moles, while usually harmless, are monitored for health reasons due to the risk of melanoma.
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Comparison Chart
Cause
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Clusters of melanocytes (pigmented cells)
Contagious
Yes
No
Appearance
Rough, cauliflower-like
Smooth, can be flat or raised
Common Locations
Hands, feet
Anywhere on the body
Pain
Can be painful
Typically painless
Treatment
OTC medication, cryotherapy, laser
Usually none; removal if necessary
Health Concern
Cosmetic, potential for spreading
Monitor for changes (melanoma risk)
Compare with Definitions
Wart
A small, rough growth on the skin caused by a virus.
He had a wart on his finger that wouldn't go away.
Mole
A small, dark spot or growth on the skin, typically benign.
She had a mole checked by a dermatologist to ensure it was benign.
Wart
A non-cancerous growth that can be painful.
The wart on her foot made walking uncomfortable.
Mole
Usually a brown or black spot, can be flat or raised.
Her mole was a small, round, brown spot on her cheek.
Wart
Warts are typically small, rough, hard growths that are similar in color to the rest of the skin. They typically do not result in other symptoms, except when on the bottom of the feet, where they may be painful.
Mole
A common skin mark that can be removed if necessary.
He opted to have his mole removed for cosmetic reasons.
Wart
A hard rough lump growing on the skin, caused by infection with certain viruses and occurring typically on the hands or feet.
Mole
A small burrowing mammal with dark velvety fur, a long muzzle, and very small eyes, feeding mainly on worms, grubs, and other invertebrates.
Wart
A similar growth or protuberance, as on a plant.
Mole
A spy who gradually achieves an important position within the security defences of a country
A well-placed mole was feeding them the names of operatives
Wart
A genital wart.
Mole
A small, often slightly raised blemish on the skin made dark by a high concentration of melanin
A mole on her arm had not been there at the beginning of the summer
Wart
One that resembles or is likened to a wart, especially in unattractiveness or smallness.
Mole
A large solid structure on a shore serving as a pier, breakwater, or causeway.
Wart
An imperfection; a flaw.
Mole
The SI unit of amount of substance, equal to the quantity containing as many elementary units as there are atoms in 0.012 kg of carbon-12.
Wart
(pathology) A type of deformed growth occurring on the skin caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Mole
An abnormal mass of tissue in the uterus.
Wart
Any similar growth occurring in plants or animals, such as the parotoid glands in the back of toads.
Mole
A highly spiced Mexican sauce made chiefly from chilli peppers and chocolate, served with meat.
Wart
Any of the prefixes used in Hungarian notation.
Mole
A skin lesion, commonly a nevus, that is typically raised and discolored.
Wart
A small, usually hard, tumor on the skin formed by enlargement of its vascular papillæ, and thickening of the epidermis which covers them.
Mole
Any of various small insectivorous mammals of the family Talpidae of North America and Eurasia, usually living underground and having a thickset body with light brown to dark gray silky fur, strong forefeet for burrowing, and often rudimentary eyes.
Wart
An excrescence or protuberance more or less resembling a true wart; specifically (Bot.), a glandular excrescence or hardened protuberance on plants.
Mole
A machine that bores through hard surfaces, used especially for tunneling through rock.
Wart
Any small rounded protuberance (as on certain plants or animals)
Mole
A spy who operates from within an organization, especially a double agent operating against that agent's own government from within its intelligence establishment.
Wart
(pathology) a firm abnormal elevated blemish on the skin; caused by a virus
Mole
A massive, usually stone wall constructed in the sea, used as a breakwater and built to enclose or protect an anchorage or a harbor.
Wart
A skin lesion resulting from human papillomavirus (HPV).
The doctor treated the wart with cryotherapy.
Mole
The anchorage or harbor enclosed by a mole.
Wart
A contagious skin growth often found on hands or feet.
She covered her wart with a bandage to prevent spreading.
Mole
A fleshy abnormal mass formed in the uterus by the degeneration or abortive development of an ovum.
Wart
A common skin condition treated with over-the-counter remedies.
They bought a wart removal kit from the pharmacy.
Mole
In the International System, the base unit used in representing an amount of a substance, equal to the amount of that substance that contains as many atoms, molecules, ions, or other elementary units as the number of atoms in 0.012 kilogram of carbon-12. The number is 6.0221 × 1023, or Avogadro's number. See Table at measurement.
Mole
A pigmented spot on the skin, a naevus, slightly raised, and sometimes hairy.
Mole
Any of several small, burrowing insectivores of the family Talpidae; also any of southern African mammals in the family Chrysochloridae (golden moles) and any of several Australian mammals in the family Notoryctidae (marsupial moles), similar to but not closely related to Talpidae moles
Mole
Any of the burrowing rodents also called mole-rats.
Mole
(espionage) An internal spy, a person who involves himself or herself with an enemy organisation, especially an intelligence or governmental organisation, to determine and betray its secrets from within.
Mole
A kind of self-propelled excavator used to form underground drains, or to clear underground pipelines
Mole
A type of underground drain used in farm fields, in which a mole plow creates an unlined channel through clay subsoil.
Mole
A moll, a bitch, a slut.
Mole
(nautical) A massive structure, usually of stone, used as a pier, breakwater or junction between places separated by water.
Mole
(rare) A haven or harbour, protected with such a breakwater.
Mole
(historical) An Ancient Roman mausoleum.
Mole
In the International System of Units, the base unit of amount of substance; the amount of substance of a system which contains exactly 6.02214076×1023 elementary entities (atoms, ions, molecules, etc.). Symbol: mol. The number of atoms is known as Avogadro’s number. from 1897
Mole
A hemorrhagic mass of tissue in the uterus caused by a dead ovum.
Mole
One of several spicy sauces typical of the cuisine of Mexico and neighboring Central America, especially a sauce which contains chocolate and which is used in cooking main dishes, not desserts.
Mole
A spot; a stain; a mark which discolors or disfigures.
Mole
A spot, mark, or small permanent protuberance on the human body; esp., a spot which is dark-colored, from which commonly issue one or more hairs.
Mole
A mass of fleshy or other more or less solid matter generated in the uterus.
Mole
A mound or massive work formed of masonry or large stones, etc., laid in the sea, often extended either in a right line or an arc of a circle before a port which it serves to defend from the violence of the waves, thus protecting ships in a harbor; also, sometimes, the harbor itself.
Mole
Any insectivore of the family Talpidæ. They have minute eyes and ears, soft fur, and very large and strong fore feet.
Mole
A plow of peculiar construction, for forming underground drains.
Mole
A spy who lives for years an apparently normal life (to establish a cover) before beginning his spying activities.
Mole
A quantity of a substance equal to the molecular weight of a substance expressed in grams; a gram molecule; the basic unit of amount of substance adopted under the System International d'Unites; as, he added two moles of sodium chloride to the medium.
Mole
To form holes in, as a mole; to burrow; to excavate; as, to mole the earth.
Mole
To clear of molehills.
Mole
The molecular weight of a substance expressed in grams; the basic unit of amount of substance adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
Mole
A spy who works against enemy espionage
Mole
Spicy sauce often containing chocolate
Mole
A small congenital pigmented spot on the skin
Mole
A protective structure of stone or concrete; extends from shore into the water to prevent a beach from washing away
Mole
Small velvety-furred burrowing mammal having small eyes and fossorial forefeet
Mole
A skin lesion composed of melanocytes.
The mole on his arm was present since birth.
Mole
Generally harmless but monitored for changes.
It's important to watch for any changes in a mole's appearance.
Common Curiosities
Can moles turn into cancer?
Moles can sometimes develop into melanoma, a type of skin cancer, so they should be monitored for changes.
How are warts spread?
Warts spread through direct contact with the wart or surfaces that have been in contact with HPV.
What causes warts?
Warts are caused by an infection with human papillomavirus (HPV).
Are there different types of warts?
Yes, there are various types, including common warts, plantar warts, and flat warts.
Are moles contagious?
No, moles are not contagious.
Are warts painful?
Warts can be painful, especially when located on pressure points like the feet.
How can you tell a wart from a mole?
Warts are rough and often resemble tiny cauliflowers, while moles are smooth, can be flat or raised, and are typically brown or black.
Can warts be treated at home?
Yes, over-the-counter treatments are available for warts, but persistent warts may need medical attention.
Should moles be removed?
Moles don't usually need removal unless they cause discomfort or show signs of malignancy.
What does a typical mole look like?
A typical mole is a small, round or oval, brown or black spot on the skin.
Do warts require a doctor's visit?
Persistent or painful warts may require a doctor's visit for treatment.
Why are moles monitored?
Moles are monitored for changes that could indicate skin cancer, such as melanoma.
Can moles appear anywhere on the body?
Yes, moles can appear anywhere on the body.
Can warts go away on their own?
Some warts may go away on their own, but treatment can speed up the process.
What should you do if a mole changes in appearance?
If a mole changes in size, shape, or color, it should be examined by a dermatologist.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
