Is it a Skin Tag or a Wart?

Published on Apr 27, 2015.

2 minute read

Of all the skin lesions afflicting the general populace, the most common are skin tags and warts. It can be annoying or disturbing to discover one of these growing on your skin, but they’re usually nothing to worry about.

Appearance

Skin tags are little flaps of excess skin that can range from flesh colored to a darker shade. Warts are small rough growths that vary from flesh colored to white, pink or tan.

Common Locations

Skin tags are commonly found under the arms, beneath the breasts and around the groin. Warts vary in location according to type and usually develop on the hands, the soles of the feet or the genitals.

Causes

Skin tags usually occur where skin rubs against other skin or clothing. Warts develop from the human papillomavirus and can be passed from person to person through direct or indirect contact.

Treatment

The most common ways doctors remove skin tags are to simply cut them off, freeze them with liquid nitrogen or burn them with medical cauterizing equipment. A common method for removing warts is freezing, and a number of over-the-counter products are available for this purpose.

Concerns

Skin tags may become raw and irritated from repeated rubbing against clothing. Warts shed the human papillomavirus, causing rapid spreading of the growth and the possibility of infection to others.

Shawn Hayes

Contributor

Shawn is a dedicated health and wellness writer, bringing a wealth of experience in nutritional coaching and holistic living. He is passionate about empowering readers to make informed choices about their physical and mental well-being. Outside of writing, Shawn enjoys hiking, mountain biking, and exploring new recipes to share with friends and family.

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