Mole, Wart, or Skin Tag? Common Skin Growths in Hawaii

Moles, warts, and skin tags are common skin growths, and most are harmless. A mole is a cluster of pigment cells. A wart comes from a virus, and a skin tag is a soft flap of skin. Have a dermatology provider check any spot that changes, bleeds, or looks different.

You are rubbing on sunscreen before a swim at the beach park. Your fingers find a small bump on your neck you never noticed. You start to wonder what it is.

Book my visit or call (808) 263-3233 to get a spot checked.

What is a mole?

A mole is a small spot made of pigment cells grouped together. Most moles are brown, tan, or skin colored. They can be flat or raised.

Many moles show up in childhood and the teen years. Sun exposure can lead to more moles over time.

Most moles stay the same for years. A mole that starts to change is the one to watch.

What is a wart?

A wart is a rough, raised bump caused by a common virus. It often shows up on hands, fingers, knees, or feet. Warts on the soles can press inward and hurt when you walk.

Warts spread through direct contact or wet surfaces. Pool decks, gym showers, and slippers left damp can all play a part.

Some warts go away on their own over time. Others stick around or spread.

What is a skin tag?

A skin tag is a small, soft flap of skin. It often hangs from a tiny stalk. Skin tags are skin colored or a little darker.

They tend to show up where skin rubs against skin or clothing. Common spots include the neck, underarms, eyelids, and under the bra line.

Skin tags are harmless. Many people remove them because they snag on jewelry, straps, or collars.

How can you tell them apart?

Here is a quick way to compare them:

• Mole: a smooth spot of even color, flat or raised

• Wart: a rough, bumpy surface, sometimes with tiny dark dots

• Skin tag: a soft, floppy flap that hangs from the skin

Some spots do not fit any of these. Seborrheic keratoses, for example, look waxy and stuck on. They are common as people get older.

Looks alone can fool anyone. A dermatology provider can tell you what a spot is.

Why does Hawaii matter for skin growths?

Hawaii sun is strong all year, even when clouds roll over the Ko'olau. Years of sun can lead to more moles and new spots.

Sun can also lead to skin cancer. Some skin cancers look like a harmless bump at first. That is why a new or changing spot deserves a closer look here.

Humidity matters too. Sweat and heat make skin rub more under straps and collars. That rubbing can make skin tags more likely to catch and bleed.

Warm, wet places also help the wart virus spread. Think pool decks, beach showers, and wet slippers by the door.

How do you check a mole at home?

The American Academy of Dermatology suggests the ABCDEs of melanoma. Look for these signs:

• A, Asymmetry: one half does not match the other

• B, Border: edges that are ragged or blurred

• C, Color: more than one shade, or uneven color

• D, Diameter: larger than a pencil eraser

• E, Evolving: any change in size, shape, color, or feel

Also watch for the "ugly duckling." It is a spot that looks unlike your other moles.

Check your skin once a month in good light. Use a hand mirror for your back and scalp, or ask someone you trust.

What not to do

• Do not cut, tie off, or burn a skin tag at home

• Do not pick or shave over a wart, since it can spread

• Do not use over-the-counter wart products on your face or a mole

• Do not ignore a spot just because it does not hurt

Home removal can cause bleeding, infection, and scars. It also means no one checks what the spot was.

When should you see a provider?

Book a skin check if a spot:

• Is new and you are an adult

• Changes in size, shape, or color

• Itches, bleeds, or crusts and does not heal

• Looks different from your other moles

• Gets in the way of daily life

A fast-changing mole or a sore that will not heal needs prompt care.

We check moles, warts, skin tags, and cysts at our Kailua, Oahu clinic. We also offer biopsies and removal in clinic when they are needed. Dermatology providers can use different methods based on the spot. Your provider will tell you what fits your skin.

The clinic is led by Doug Williams, MPAS, PA-C. He has more than 20 years focused only on dermatology. You get a licensed, dermatology-trained PA and a real medical dermatology clinic.

Live on a neighbor island? Telehealth is available for neighbor island patients, and Quest and Medicaid are accepted for telehealth. A provider can look at a spot by video. You will learn if it needs a clinic visit.

Common questions

Can a skin tag turn into skin cancer?

Skin tags are harmless growths. Still, a growth that looks like a skin tag could be something else. Have any new or changing spot checked.

Are warts contagious?

Yes, warts can spread through touch and wet surfaces. Keep your feet covered in shared showers and do not pick at a wart.

Is it normal to get new moles as an adult?

Some new moles in adults are harmless. Still, new spots deserve a closer look. Some skin cancers start as a new spot.

Does insurance cover skin growth checks?

We accept most major insurance for medical visits. Coverage for removal depends on the reason and your plan. Call us to ask.

How often should I get a skin check?

It depends on your skin, your sun history, and your family history. Your provider will suggest a schedule that fits you.

Ready to see us in Kailua, Oahu?

Found a spot you are not sure about? Let us take a look and give you a clear answer.

Doug Williams, MPAS, PA-C, and our team see patients at 1051 Keolu Dr #107 in Kailua, Oahu. We offer telehealth for neighbor island patients, and we accept most major insurance for medical visits. We are open Monday to Friday, with one Saturday clinic each month.

Book my visit or call (808) 263-3233.

Last updated: October 26, 2026.

This article is general education, not medical advice.