Making the Diagnosis
If you notice any abnormal growths, lumps, or skin changes - which may or may not be accompanied by itching, pain, or bleeding - you should make an appointment with your doctor. A quick physical exam by your doctor is usually all that's needed to diagnose warts. The physical exam allows your doctor to distinguish a wart from other skin conditions such as moles, calluses, corns, skin tags, or cancer. To properly diagnose genital warts, your doctor may need to remove a small tissue sample (biopsy). There are also some lab tests available that are useful to diagnose certain strains of HPV and to see whether or not the infection is likely to become cancerous.