Warts may be easily confused with other papular lesions. Molluscum contagiosum may look just like a wart. Examine molluscum with magnification to see the characteristic central depression.

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection that can be confused with genital warts

Pearly penile papules occur as a few too numerous projections around the corona of the penis. These are normal anatomic variants and do not require treatment.

Pearly penile papules

Bowenoid papulosis is a rare papular disease that may be confused with warts. These brown papules may be biopsied and show characteristic findings. Lesions that do not show the characteristic findings of a wart should be examined carefully with magnification. The surface of the wart contains numerous uniform projections that may be in a mosaic pattern.

Bowenoid papulosis