Wart vs Cyst: Difference and Comparison

Warts are basically skin-related problems that are small in size, rough, and non-cancerous growth that can occur on any body part. The color of the wart matches that of the skin.

The appearance of warts depends on the place it appears on the body, and the thickness depends on it. Cysts, on the other hand, are sac-like structures and are filled with liquid and some gaseous material from the inside. They may look abnormal sometimes.

The fact about cysts is that they can appear on literally any part of the body as they occur within the tissues. Out of these, very common locations for cysts are ovaries, kidneys, breasts, testes, skin, etc.

Key Takeaways

  1. Warts are rough, grainy growths that appear on the skin, caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), while cysts are sac-like structures that can occur in any part of the body and are filled with fluid, air or other materials.
  2. Warts are contagious and can be transmitted from one person to another through direct contact, while cysts are not contagious.
  3. Warts can be treated with various methods, such as cryotherapy, chemical treatments, and surgical removal, while cysts may require drainage or surgical removal.

Wart vs Cyst

Warts are small in size and have a grainy texture. They can transfer from one person to another by simple contact or touch. Various methods, including chemical treatments, can treat them. Cysts can grow at any part of the part and can be removed by surgery. They are filled with fluid.

Wart vs Cyst

Warts look like small solid structures and have a cauliflower-like shape. They do not have any symptoms, but sometimes they can be painful as they appear on the lower part of the feet.

More than one wart can appear on a single person’s body and in many different parts. Mostly they appear on hands and feet.

Cysts are sac-like structures that have some liquid and gaseous material in them. It can occur in any part of the body, inside or outside, as they occur from the tissues.

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Mostly they occur on breasts, kidneys, ovaries, skin, etc. They vary in their size. They can be very microscopic or even large enough to displace some internal organs.

Comparison Table

Parameters of ComparisonWartCyst
MeaningWarts are basically skin-related problems that are small in size, rough, and non-cancerous growth that can occur on any body part.Cysts are sac-like structures that have some liquid and gaseous material in them.
Affected areasThey mostly occur on the hands and feet but they can appear on any part of the skin.Mostly they occur on breasts, kidneys, ovaries, skin, etc.
AppearancesUsually, the appearance of warts is depended upon the amount of thickness of the skin and other places of the body.They are sac-like structures filled with some liquid and gaseous material.
CauseThere are many types of HPV that cause different kinds and forms of warts on the skin like HPV- 1,2,3,4,26,29, etc.They can be caused due to some infection, tumors, genetic conditions, fault of developing the embryos, etc.
TreatmentSalicylic acid or cryotherapy. They require surgeries or some other medical treatment as per the size and location of it.
SymptomsMost warts do not have any symptoms but they can be painful if they occur on the lower part of the feet.Mostly, cysts do not have any symptoms, but they can be painful if they appear on breasts. Cysts in the brain can cause headaches.
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 What is Wart?

Warts are basically skin-related problems that are small in size, rough, and non-cancerous growth that can occur on any body part. The color of the wart matches that of the skin.

The appearance of warts depends on the place it appears on the body, and the thickness depends on it. Warts look like small solid structures and have a cauliflower-like shape.

They do not have any symptoms, but sometimes they can be painful as they appear on the lower part of the feet. More than one wart can appear on a single person’s body and in many different parts. Mostly they appear on hands and feet.

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The main cause of warts is HPV, a virus that enters the body through small or minor skin damage. The people more prone to getting this virus are those who work with meat, have low immune systems or use public showers often.

Talking of HPV, there is a total of 130 different types of HPVs that infect some specific parts of the body.

wart

What is Cyst?

Cysts are sac-like structures that have some liquid and gaseous material in them. It can occur in any part of the body, inside or outside, as they occur from the tissues. Mostly they occur on breasts, kidneys, ovaries, skin, etc.

They vary in their size. They can be very microscopic or even large enough to displace some internal organs.

The cyst can be of many different types, like- breast cyst, colloid cyst, fibrous cyst, colloid cyst, renal cyst, ovarian cyst, and many more.

There are many causes of cyst-like- infections, genetic conditions, tumours, some defects in the blood cell, some parasites, some injuries that break the vessel, and faults in the development of the embryo.

Depending on the type and location of the cyst, the signs and symptoms are very different from each other. When the cyst is below or over the skin, the patient might feel it immediately as it occurs as a lump.

The cyst on the breast can be noticed, too, although some of them require ultrasound or MRI scans to get the exact picture of it.

cyst

Main Differences Between Wart and Cyst

  1. The main difference between wart and cyst is that warts are basically skin related problem that is small in size, rough, and is a non-cancerous growth that can take place on any body part, while cysts are sac-like structures that have some liquid and gaseous material in it.
  2. Warts mostly occur on the hands and feet, but they can appear on any part of the skin, while cysts mostly occur on breasts, kidneys, ovaries, skin, etc.
  3. Usually, the appearance of warts is depended upon the amount of thickness of the skin and other places of the body cysts are sac-like structures filled with some liquid and gaseous material.
  4. There are many types of HPV that causes different kinds and form of warts on the skin like HPV- 1,2,3,4,26,29, etc. while cysts can be caused due to some infection, tumors, genetic conditions, fault of developing the embryos, etc.
  5. The treatments of warts include salicylic acid or cryotherapy, while cysts require surgeries or some other medical treatment as per the size and location.
  6. Most warts do not have any symptoms, but they can be painful if they occur on the lower part of the feet, but mostly cysts too do not have any symptoms, but they can be painful if they appear on breasts. Cysts in the brain can cause headaches.
Difference Between Wart and Cyst
References
  1. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/1215/p2335.html
  2. https://journals.lww.com/op-rs/fulltext/2004/11000/Orbital_Dermoid_Cyst_and_Sinus_Tract_Presenting.13.aspx

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Piyush Yadav
Piyush Yadav

Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.

25 Comments

  1. The intricate comparison of warts and cysts, along with their descriptions and symptoms, provides valuable insights into understanding these skin problems and how to manage them effectively.

  2. Thank you for this detailed comparison between warts and cysts. It’s really interesting to learn the differences between the two skin problems.

  3. The detailed descriptions of warts and cysts, along with the comparison table, make it easier to understand the distinctions between these skin problems. Very informative!

    • I couldn’t agree more, Sophie29. This article gives a clear and thorough understanding of warts and cysts.

    • Absolutely, Sophie29. The level of detail provided here is truly beneficial for anyone seeking knowledge about skin-related issues.

  4. The clear differentiation between warts and cysts in this article provides valuable insight into these skin-related conditions. Knowing the differences helps in taking better care of our health.

  5. The detailed comparison between warts and cysts in this article is truly enlightening, providing a comprehensive understanding of these skin-related issues.

    • Well said, Helen Reynolds. This article is a fantastic resource for learning about the differences between warts and cysts.

  6. This article offers a comprehensive comparison between warts and cysts, providing critical insights into their nature, symptoms, and treatments.

  7. The detailed comparison between warts and cysts, along with the insight into their causes and symptoms, is very helpful for understanding these conditions more comprehensively.

  8. This article provides a comprehensive understanding of warts and cysts, including their differences, symptoms, and treatments. Indeed, a valuable source of information for those wanting to learn more about these conditions.

    • Absolutely, Olivia34. The comprehensive insights shared here are truly commendable for educating readers about these skin conditions.

    • I couldn’t agree more, Olivia34. This detailed comparison is incredibly beneficial for anyone seeking knowledge about warts and cysts.

  9. The detailed comparison table and descriptions provide a comprehensive understanding of warts and cysts. This can be very useful for individuals dealing with such skin problems.

    • Absolutely, the level of detail provided here is quite impressive. It’s a great source of information for understanding warts and cysts.

    • Indeed, Ashley07. This article serves as a valuable resource for anyone wanting to learn about these skin conditions.

  10. This article provides a thorough explanation of the distinctions between warts and cysts. It’s crucial to be knowledgeable about these conditions for proper diagnosis and treatment.

    • Absolutely, Kyle77. The detailed comparison here is very helpful in understanding how warts and cysts differ from each other.

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