Anal Warts (HPV): What They Look Like

Anal warts (condyloma acuminata) are small growths caused by certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), spread through skin-to-skin contact. They’re one of the conditions most commonly mistaken for a hemorrhoid or skin tag, because all three can appear as small bumps or growths around the anus.

Key takeaways

Anal warts are typically small, flesh-colored or grayish growths, sometimes described as having a cauliflower-like texture — different from the smooth, soft appearance of a skin tag or the swollen look of an external hemorrhoid.
They’re caused by HPV, transmitted through skin contact, not by straining or constipation the way hemorrhoids are.
They can be present for a long time without symptoms, which is part of why a visual self-diagnosis isn’t reliable.
Treatment is different from anything used for hemorrhoids — this is a diagnosis worth getting confirmed rather than guessing at.

How they typically look and feel

Anal warts often start as very small, barely visible bumps and can grow and cluster together over time, sometimes taking on a rough, cauliflower-like texture. They can be flesh-colored, pink, or slightly darker than surrounding skin. Symptoms, when present, can include itching, mild bleeding, a feeling of a lump, or mucus-like discharge — all of which overlap with hemorrhoid symptoms, which is exactly why this is a “see a doctor to know for sure” situation rather than a self-diagnosis.

How this differs from a hemorrhoid or skin tag

Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels — smoother and often more uniformly rounded, and typically associated with straining, constipation, or pregnancy.
Skin tags are usually smooth, single flaps of skin, often left over from a previous hemorrhoid or fissure that’s healed.
Anal warts tend to have a rougher or more textured surface, can appear as multiple small growths rather than one, and aren’t linked to straining — they’re linked to HPV exposure, which can have occurred well before any growth appears.

None of these distinctions are reliable enough to self-diagnose from — a clinician can usually tell the difference in a brief exam, sometimes with a magnifying tool for a closer look.

Why this diagnosis matters beyond the growth itself

HPV is common, and most infections clear on their own without ever causing visible warts or other problems. But confirming that a growth is a wart rather than assuming it’s a hemorrhoid or skin tag matters for a few reasons: treatment is different, certain HPV strains are linked to a higher risk of anal cancer over time (see Anal cancer: rare but real), and a confirmed diagnosis is relevant information for sexual partners as well.

Treatment

Options depend on the size, number, and location of the warts, and are decided with a clinician rather than through self-treatment — home remedies and hemorrhoid products aren’t effective for warts and can delay a correct diagnosis. Options a doctor may discuss include topical prescription treatments, in-office removal procedures (such as cryotherapy or excision), and follow-up monitoring, since warts can recur even after treatment.

When to see a doctor

Any new growth around the anus that you haven’t had evaluated before is worth a visit — not because it’s likely to be serious, but because self-diagnosis between hemorrhoids, skin tags, and warts isn’t reliable, and the right next step depends on which one it actually is.

Not sure what you’re seeing? See Is it hemorrhoids or something else? for the full comparison.

This page is for general education and isn’t a substitute for a clinical exam.