Genital warts are raised or flat, flesh-colored lesions that often feel rough to the touch, while skin tags are small, hanging pieces of skin. They look similar and appear in similar places but have different causes.
People may confuse genital warts and skin tags, as they can both grow on the genitals and may appear similar. The reason for the development of skin tags is still not clear. However, acquiring human papillomavirus (HPV) through sexual contact can lead to genital warts.
Both can clear without treatment. However, some people choose to remove skin tags and genital warts. Genital warts may also cause itching and discomfort, which may be manageable with treatment.
This article further explains genital warts and skin tags. It also discusses how to identify and treat them. Finally, it considers the causes of each skin condition.
Genital warts and skin tags are different skin conditions that resemble each other. However, they are not typically harmful and do not develop into cancer.
Genital warts
Genital warts, or anogenital warts, are a symptom of HPV infection that take the form of small lumps in the anal and genital regions, including:
- the penis, including under the foreskin in those who have not had a circumcision
- around or inside the vagina
- around or inside the anus, most often in people who receive anal intercourse
- the area between the anus and genitals, or perineum
Experts estimate that
Learn more about genital warts.
Skin tags
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), skin tags are harmless but may catch on jewelry or clothing. They can develop anywhere on the body.
However, skin tags most commonly affect the following areas:
- neck
- eyelids
- underarms
- beneath the breasts
They may also sometimes develop in the groin. The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD) estimates that around half of all adults in the United States have at least one skin tag, also known as acrochordons.
Genital warts and skin tags have different appearances. This can help individuals to identify which condition they may have.
However, a healthcare professional should check any new growths on the skin.
Genital warts
Genital warts may have the following characteristics, although they may appear differently on different people:
- They may appear on their own or in clusters that look a little like cauliflower.
- They can have different colors but
often take on the color of the skin around them or turn slightly darker. - They might feel either firm or soft.
Genital warts do not often cause symptoms once they appear, but a person may experience itching, pain, or bleeding. They may also lead to uncomfortable or painful sex and discomfort or frequent starting and stopping while passing urine.
Skin tags
Skin tags can resemble genital warts as they are often the same color as the skin or darker. They can also show signs of redness, discoloration, or irritation.
However, skin tags are generally soft and attach to a fleshy stalk known as a peduncle. They are often small but can grow to 2 to 5 centimeters (cm).
More research is necessary to confirm the cause of skin tags. However, genital warts are a result of HPV infection.
Genital warts
The
HPV is generally preventable with the vaccine.
HPV does not always cause genital warts, and the immune system often prevents their development by protecting the body from the virus. However, in people with compromised immune systems, such as those with late stage HIV or who have undergone cancer treatment, genital warts may be more likely to develop.
Warts may not develop for weeks or even months after acquiring HPV.
Skin tags
The cause of skin tags is not clear, although some healthcare professionals theorize that friction contributes to them. This is because most skin tags grow in skin folds where the skin is more likely to encounter rubbing. They may also result from the natural aging process as skin tissue loses elasticity.
People with obesity or diabetes also have a higher risk of skin tags. Some theories suggest that obesity increases the number of skin folds, while others link the cells’ reduced response to insulin to their development.
A genetic disorder called Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome can lead to excess skin tags along with other symptoms.
People do not always require treatment for genital warts, and removing skin tags is typically a cosmetic or elective procedure. People with skin tags do not usually require treatment but may choose it.
Genital warts
If a healthcare professional recommends genital wart treatment, it may include:
- ointments, liquids, or creams
- cryotherapy, which involves freezing off the warts over several sessions
- surgical removal, in which a healthcare professional numbs the area with an anesthetic and removes the warts using a scalpel, laser, or heat
However, treatment depends on the appearance of the warts and where they develop. Genital warts often return after treatment, and HPV may still transmit from person to person after the warts have resolved.
People who have had genital warts can get them again, either from recurring HPV or from a new infection.
Skin tags
People can choose to undergo treatment to remove skin tags for cosmetic reasons or because they regularly catch on clothes. Cryotherapy and surgical removal
Other treatment options include electrosurgery or a healthcare professional tying a band around the top of the skin, which may help it eventually fall off.
A person should not try to remove skin tags on their own. This can lead to infection, scarring, and bleeding.
Genital warts may be preventable using barrier methods during sex, such as a condom. Even though this reduces the risk of transmission, the virus passes from one person to another through skin-to-skin contact. If the condom does not cover the area with warts, HPV may still transmit.
Another option for preventing genital warts is the HPV vaccination. Two types of HPV, 6 and 11, cause
The
Read more about the HPV vaccine.
Can HPV look like a skin tag?
A small study of people with skin tags found that a high proportion had HPV, but this research only included 49 individuals. No conclusive evidence links skin tags and HPV, but they may appear similar to genital warts, which occur due to HPV.
How long do genital warts last?
Genital warts and skin tags look similar but develop for different reasons. Skin tags often develop on the folds of the neck and armpits, while genital warts only appear on the penis, vagina, anus, or perineum.
Skin tags commonly hang from peduncles and can grow up to 5 cm long.
Genital warts occur due to STIs called human papillomavirus (HPV). More research is necessary to confirm the cause of skin tags.
Both are treatable, but it is not possible to prevent skin tags. Condoms and the HPV vaccine can help reduce a person’s risk of genital warts.
A healthcare professional should check any new growths or bumps on the skin.