Skin tags are not considered warts; they are two distinct types of skin growths with fundamentally different causes and characteristics. While both are common, generally harmless, and non-cancerous, their underlying biology separates them completely. Skin tags, known medically as acrochordons, are benign tumors made of excess skin tissue. Warts, or verrucae, are infectious growths resulting from a viral infection. Understanding these differences is helpful for determining the correct course of action if a growth becomes bothersome.
Skin Tags: Characteristics and Causes
Skin tags are small, soft, and typically flesh-colored growths that consist of loose collagen fibers and blood vessels covered by epidermis. These benign growths often look like a tiny, deflated balloon or a small piece of skin protruding from the surface. A defining feature of an acrochordon is its attachment to the skin by a narrow stalk or peduncle, which allows the tissue to hang loosely. Skin tags are generally painless unless they are repeatedly rubbed, snagged by clothing or jewelry, or twisted, which can cause irritation or bleeding.
The formation of skin tags is commonly attributed to mechanical friction, which is why they frequently appear in areas where skin rubs against skin or clothing. Common locations include the neck, armpits (axillae), groin, eyelids, and beneath the breasts. Although the exact cause is not fully understood, their development is strongly associated with aging, obesity, and hormonal fluctuations. Conditions that involve insulin resistance, such as type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, are also linked to a higher prevalence of skin tags.
Warts: Viral Origin and Appearance
Warts are small, firm growths on the skin or mucous membranes caused solely by infection with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). This virus enters the skin through small cuts or abrasions and causes the rapid, excessive growth of skin cells, resulting in the characteristic lesion. There are over 100 strains of HPV, and different types cause different kinds of warts, such as common warts, plantar warts, and flat warts.
The typical appearance of a wart is a rough, raised, and grainy surface, often described as cauliflower-like. Unlike skin tags, warts are generally broad-based and embedded in the skin rather than hanging from a stalk. Common warts may contain small black or brownish specks, often called “seed warts,” which are actually tiny clotted blood vessels. Warts commonly develop on the hands, feet, and knees, areas prone to trauma or breaks in the skin barrier.
Key Distinctions and Contagion
The most significant difference between the two growths is their origin and transmissibility. Warts are infectious and contagious because they are caused by a virus that can spread through direct skin-to-skin contact or contact with contaminated surfaces. The virus can also spread from one part of the body to another through a process called autoinoculation. In contrast, skin tags are non-contagious and cannot be transmitted.
Visually, skin tags are soft, smooth, and attached by a thin peduncle, making them mobile and flexible. Warts are characteristically firm or hard, have a rough or bumpy texture, and lack a stalk. Location is also a strong indicator: skin tags favor areas of skin folds and friction, while warts often appear on the hands and feet where cuts are common. The presence of tiny black dots, representing thrombosed capillaries, is a feature unique to warts and is not seen in skin tags.
Safe Removal and Medical Consultation
Removal of either growth is usually elective and performed for cosmetic reasons or if the lesion becomes irritated. Professional removal methods for both skin tags and warts include cryotherapy, which involves freezing the growth with liquid nitrogen. Another option is excision, where a healthcare provider snips the growth off using sterile surgical scissors or a scalpel, often after numbing the area. Electrocautery, which uses an electric current to burn or destroy the tissue, is also a common method for both conditions.
Attempting at-home removal is strongly discouraged due to the risks of infection, excessive bleeding, and potential scarring. Furthermore, over-the-counter wart removers, which contain strong acids, are ineffective on skin tags and can damage the surrounding healthy skin. A medical consultation is always recommended to ensure an accurate diagnosis. A growth that appears to be a skin tag or wart may sometimes be a more serious condition, such as a mole or skin cancer. A doctor should be consulted immediately if a growth bleeds spontaneously, changes color rapidly, or grows quickly.