Skin tags and warts are common skin growths that can appear on various parts of the body. While they might seem similar, these growths originate from different causes and possess distinct characteristics. Understanding these differences is important for proper identification and knowing when to seek professional medical advice.
Key Distinguishing Characteristics
Skin tags typically present as small, soft, flesh-colored or slightly darker growths that often hang off the skin by a thin stalk (peduncle). They are smooth to the touch and can range in size from a few millimeters to about 5 centimeters. These growths commonly appear in areas where skin rubs against skin or clothing, such as the neck, armpits, groin, eyelids, and under the breasts.
In contrast, warts are rough, firm, and bumpy, often described as having a cauliflower-like texture. Their appearance can vary, ranging from flat to raised, and they may be flesh-colored, white, pink, or tan. Many common warts may also display tiny black or dark red pinpoints, which are clotted blood vessels. Warts tend to form on hands, feet, face, and genitals, often in areas prone to skin breaks.
Underlying Causes
The formation of skin tags is not fully understood, but they are benign growths of extra cells in the skin’s top layers. They are frequently associated with skin rubbing against itself or clothing, leading to friction in skin folds. Other factors linked to skin tag development include genetics, aging, hormonal changes (such as during pregnancy), and health conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes. Skin tags are not contagious.
Warts, however, are caused by a viral infection from the human papillomavirus (HPV). Over 100 HPV strains exist, with different strains causing various wart types on specific body areas. Unlike skin tags, warts are contagious, spreading through direct skin-to-skin contact or indirectly via shared objects like towels or razors. The virus enters the skin through small cuts or abrasions, leading to increased cell growth and wart formation.
When to Seek Medical Advice
While many skin growths are harmless, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider if there is any uncertainty about a growth on the skin. Seek advice if a growth changes size, shape, or color, or becomes painful, bleeds, or itches. A professional diagnosis can rule out more serious conditions that might mimic skin tags or warts, such as skin cancer.
For skin tags, seek medical advice if they become irritated, bleed from friction, or cause cosmetic concerns. Also consult a doctor if a skin tag grows rapidly or new ones develop in large numbers. For warts, consult a doctor if they are painful, spreading, located in sensitive areas like the face or genitals, or if home remedies fail. Individuals with weakened immune systems or diabetes should consult a doctor before any wart removal.
Treatment and Removal Options
Skin Tag Removal
Medical professionals offer various methods for removing skin tags, especially for irritation or cosmetic reasons. Common procedures include cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen), excision (cutting off with a scalpel or surgical scissors), ligation (tying off the base to cut off blood supply), and cauterization (using heat to burn the tag). These procedures are quick and performed in a medical office.
Wart Treatment
Wart treatments aim to destroy wart tissue or stimulate an immune response against the virus. Medical treatments for warts include cryotherapy (freezing the wart), chemical peels (often salicylic acid) to remove wart layers, and electrocautery (burning the wart tissue). Laser treatment may also burn or destroy blood vessels supplying the wart. Some warts may resolve on their own, but treatment can accelerate removal and prevent spread.
Do not attempt self-removal of skin tags or warts due to risks of infection, scarring, incomplete removal, or misdiagnosis. Such attempts can lead to complications and may delay proper medical evaluation.