What Is Seborrhoeic Keratosis? How To Tell It Apart From Skin Tags And Warts

If you have noticed a new raised, rough or waxy mark on your skin, it is natural to wonder what it is. Many people confuse seborrhoeic keratosis with skin tags, warts, moles or even skin cancer, especially when the growth is dark, textured or appears suddenly.

Seborrhoeic keratosis is a very common, benign skin growth. It is also sometimes called seborrheic keratosis, seborrhoeic wart, basal cell papilloma, brown wart or age wart. Although these names can sound worrying, seborrhoeic keratoses are not cancerous and are not contagious.

That said, it is important not to self-diagnose a new or changing skin lesion. Some benign growths can look similar to more serious conditions, so anything that changes, bleeds, becomes painful or looks unusual should be checked by a qualified medical professional.

At Hannah London, we already see many patients who are unsure whether a mark is a skin tag, wart or another type of benign lesion. This guide explains what seborrhoeic keratosis looks like, how it differs from skin tags and warts, when to seek medical advice, and what treatment options may be available.

What is seborrhoeic keratosis?

Seborrhoeic keratosis is a harmless growth that develops on the surface of the skin. It is caused by a build-up of ordinary skin cells and tends to become more common with age.

These growths can appear anywhere on the body, but they are often found on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders, under the breasts, or in skin folds. Some people have only one. Others develop several over time.

Seborrhoeic keratoses can vary widely in appearance. They may be light brown, dark brown, black, pink, yellowish or skin-coloured. They can look flat, raised, rough, crusty, waxy or wart-like.

A classic feature is that they often look as though they are “stuck on” to the surface of the skin.

What does seborrhoeic keratosis look like?

Seborrhoeic keratoses can look different from person to person. Common features include:

A raised or slightly raised patch
A rough, crusty or warty texture
A waxy or greasy-looking surface
A brown, black, pink or skin-coloured appearance
A “stuck-on” look
A well-defined edge
A size ranging from a few millimetres to several centimetres
One lesion or several grouped together

They can feel itchy or irritated, especially if they catch on clothing, jewellery or during shaving. Sometimes small pieces may flake off. If a lesion becomes inflamed, sore or starts bleeding, it should be assessed.

What causes seborrhoeic keratosis?

The exact cause is not fully understood. However, seborrhoeic keratoses are strongly associated with ageing and may run in families.

They are not caused by poor hygiene and they are not infectious. Unlike viral warts, they cannot be passed from one person to another through touch.

Some people may notice them developing in areas exposed to friction, such as under the breasts, around the neck or in body folds. Sun exposure may also play a role for some people, but seborrhoeic keratoses can appear on areas that are not usually exposed to the sun too.

Is seborrhoeic keratosis dangerous?

In most cases, no. Seborrhoeic keratosis is benign, which means it is not cancerous. It does not turn into skin cancer and it does not need to be removed for medical reasons if the diagnosis is clear and it is not causing problems.

However, the challenge is that some seborrhoeic keratoses can resemble other skin lesions. A very dark or irregular-looking seborrhoeic keratosis can sometimes be confused with melanoma or another type of skin cancer.

This is why any new, changing or suspicious mark should be checked. The aim is not to panic, but to make sure the correct diagnosis is made before considering removal.

Seborrhoeic keratosis vs skin tags

Seborrhoeic keratoses and skin tags are both common and usually harmless, but they are not the same.

Skin tags are usually soft, skin-coloured or slightly darker growths that may hang from the skin by a small stalk. They often appear where skin rubs together, such as the neck, underarms, eyelids, groin or under the breasts.

Seborrhoeic keratoses are more likely to look waxy, crusty, rough or wart-like. They usually sit on top of the skin rather than hanging from a stalk. They may be brown, black, pink or skin-coloured.

Quick comparison

Skin tags are usually soft and often hang from the skin.

Seborrhoeic keratoses are usually more textured and may look stuck on.

Skin tags commonly appear in skin folds.

Seborrhoeic keratoses can appear on the face, neck, chest, back and body folds.

Skin tags are often caused by friction.

Seborrhoeic keratoses are more closely linked with ageing and sometimes family tendency.

At Hannah London, skin tags may be suitable for plasma skin lesion removal after assessment. If you are unsure whether your growth is a skin tag, seborrhoeic keratosis or something else, it is best to have it reviewed before booking any removal treatment.

Seborrhoeic keratosis vs warts

Seborrhoeic keratoses are sometimes called seborrhoeic warts, but they are not true viral warts.

Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus, also known as HPV. They are contagious and can spread through close skin contact or contaminated surfaces. They are often firm, rough and commonly appear on the hands, fingers, knees or feet.

Seborrhoeic keratoses are not caused by a virus. They are not contagious and cannot spread to other people. They are also more common with age, while viral warts can affect people of many ages.

Quick comparison

Warts are caused by a virus.

Seborrhoeic keratoses are not viral.

Warts can be contagious.

Seborrhoeic keratoses are not contagious.

Warts often appear on hands and feet.

Seborrhoeic keratoses often appear on the face, trunk, neck and back.

Warts may go away on their own over time.

Seborrhoeic keratoses usually remain unless removed.

Seborrhoeic keratosis vs melanoma

Most seborrhoeic keratoses are harmless. However, it is important to know when a skin lesion needs medical attention.

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can appear as a new mole or a change in an existing mole. Warning signs may include changes in size, shape or colour, irregular borders, multiple colours, bleeding, crusting, itching, pain or a mark that does not heal.

Seborrhoeic keratosis can sometimes look dark, irregular or crusted, which is why people may worry about melanoma. In many cases, the lesion will be benign, but it should be assessed if there is any uncertainty.

Get a skin lesion checked if it:

Changes in size, shape or colour
Bleeds, crusts or does not heal
Becomes painful, itchy or inflamed
Looks very dark or irregular
Appears suddenly and changes quickly
Looks different from your other marks
Is difficult for you to identify
Has been picked, scratched or traumatised repeatedly

A professional assessment is especially important before cosmetic removal. Removing a suspicious lesion without proper review may delay diagnosis of a more serious condition.

Do seborrhoeic keratoses need to be removed?

Seborrhoeic keratoses do not usually need treatment if they are harmless, correctly diagnosed and not causing symptoms.

However, some people choose to have them removed because they:

Dislike the appearance
Catch on clothing or jewellery
Feel itchy or irritated
Bleed when rubbed or scratched
Affect confidence
Are located on the face, neck or visible areas
Make shaving, skincare or makeup application more difficult

Removal is usually considered cosmetic unless there is a medical reason for investigation.

Can you remove seborrhoeic keratosis at home?

No. You should not try to remove a seborrhoeic keratosis at home.

DIY removal can lead to bleeding, infection, scarring, pigmentation changes and incomplete removal. More importantly, you may not know what the lesion is. A growth that looks like a harmless seborrhoeic keratosis could be something that needs medical assessment.

Avoid cutting, tying, burning, picking or using online removal products on any skin lesion without professional advice.

How is seborrhoeic keratosis removed?

Treatment depends on the size, location, thickness, colour and diagnosis of the lesion. Common removal options may include:

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy uses extreme cold, often liquid nitrogen, to freeze the lesion. It is commonly used for suitable superficial lesions. The treated area may scab and fall away over time.

Curettage

Curettage involves gently scraping the lesion away using a specialist instrument. This is usually carried out under local anaesthetic.

Laser treatment

Laser treatment may be used for selected benign lesions, depending on the type of growth and skin type. The suitability of laser depends on clinical assessment.

Cautery or electrosurgery

Cautery or electrosurgery uses heat or electrical energy to remove or reduce a lesion. This may be combined with curettage in some cases.

Plasma skin lesion removal

Plasma technology may be used for some suitable benign skin lesions, including skin tags. At Hannah London, plasma skin lesion removal is offered for appropriate skin tags following review. If your lesion is not a skin tag, or if there are any suspicious features, further medical assessment may be recommended before treatment.

What happens before skin lesion removal?

Before removing any lesion, a qualified practitioner should assess it properly. This may involve asking:

How long has it been there?
Has it changed recently?
Does it bleed, itch or hurt?
Have you had skin cancer before?
Is there a family history of skin cancer?
Has the lesion been picked, scratched or traumatised?
Have you had previous removal treatment?

At Hannah London, patients may be invited to send a photograph of a skin tag or lesion for review by the qualified medical team. If a lesion looks suspicious or unsuitable for cosmetic removal, an appointment with the GP can be arranged for medical assessment.

This approach is particularly useful because not every raised mark is a simple skin tag.

Will seborrhoeic keratosis come back after removal?

Once a specific seborrhoeic keratosis is removed, that lesion may not return in the same way. However, people who are prone to seborrhoeic keratoses may develop new ones over time.

This does not usually mean anything has gone wrong. It is simply that some people are more likely to develop these benign growths, especially as they get older.

Can seborrhoeic keratosis be prevented?

There is no guaranteed way to prevent seborrhoeic keratoses. They are common and often linked to ageing and genetic tendency.

However, it is still wise to protect your skin from excessive sun exposure. Daily SPF, protective clothing and avoiding sunbeds can help support overall skin health and reduce the risk of sun-related skin damage.

When should you see a GP or skin specialist?

You should seek medical advice if a skin lesion is new, changing, bleeding, painful, itchy, inflamed, very dark, irregular or not healing.

You should also get a professional opinion if you are not sure whether it is a skin tag, wart, seborrhoeic keratosis or mole.

Aesthetic clinics can often help with suitable benign lesion removal, but suspicious or unclear lesions should be assessed medically before any cosmetic treatment is carried out.

Skin tag and benign lesion removal at Hannah London

Hannah London offers skin tag removal using plasma skin lesion removal for suitable cases. The treatment uses a small plasma current to quickly and conveniently remove appropriate skin tags.

Because skin tags, warts, seborrhoeic keratoses and other lesions can look similar, Hannah London invites patients to send photographs to the qualified medical team for review. The team can assess whether the lesion appears suitable for removal and, if needed, arrange a GP appointment for medical assessment.

This makes Hannah London a helpful first step if you have a raised growth that you think may be a skin tag, but you are not completely sure.

FAQs about seborrhoeic keratosis

What is seborrheic keratosis?

Seborrheic keratosis, also spelled seborrhoeic keratosis in the UK, is a common benign skin growth. It often looks waxy, rough, crusty or stuck on to the skin.

Is seborrhoeic keratosis cancerous?

No, seborrhoeic keratosis is benign and does not become skin cancer. However, some lesions can look similar to melanoma, so changing or unusual marks should be checked.

What causes seborrhoeic keratosis?

The exact cause is not fully known. Seborrhoeic keratoses are more common with age and may run in families. They are not caused by a virus and are not contagious.

Can seborrhoeic keratosis look like a wart?

Yes. Seborrhoeic keratosis can look wart-like, which is why it is sometimes called a seborrhoeic wart. However, it is not the same as a viral wart and it cannot spread to other people.

How can I tell the difference between a skin tag and seborrhoeic keratosis?

A skin tag is usually soft and may hang from the skin on a small stalk. Seborrhoeic keratosis is usually more textured, waxy, rough or stuck on. If you are not sure, have it checked before considering removal.

Should I remove seborrhoeic keratosis?

You do not usually need to remove seborrhoeic keratosis unless it causes irritation, catches on clothing, bleeds when rubbed, or bothers you cosmetically. Always confirm the diagnosis first.

Can I pick off seborrhoeic keratosis?

No. Picking or cutting off a seborrhoeic keratosis can cause bleeding, infection, scarring and pigmentation changes. It may also delay proper assessment if the lesion is not what you think it is.

What is the best treatment for seborrhoeic keratosis?

The best treatment depends on the lesion. Options may include cryotherapy, curettage, laser, cautery or other professional removal methods. A consultation is needed to decide what is suitable.

Where can I get a skin lesion checked in London?

If you think you have a skin tag or benign lesion, Hannah London can review suitable cases and advise whether removal may be appropriate. If there are suspicious features, the clinic can arrange GP assessment before treatment.