Genital warts vs. skin tags

What are genital warts?
Genital warts are small skin growths located around the vagina, penis, or anus and are usually painless and harmless. Warts are benign (non-cancerous) and caused by a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV), so they are highly contagious.
What are skin tags?
Skin tags are tiny growths that occur in the folds of your skin like your neck, armpits, groin, and eyelids. These fleshy growths are usually very tiny, but stick out. They can appear to be little flaps since they move around when touched. You may not notice skin tags at first because they tend to be the same color as your skin or slightly darker.
What are symptoms and signs of genital warts vs. skin tags?
Signs of genital warts
Patches of rough or smooth bumps that appear around your vagina, penis, or anus are signs of genital warts. Genital warts are a symptom of HPV and not a separate condition. You may carry the HPV virus for months or years before having a breakout of genital warts.
Signs of skin tags
Skin tags are easy to identify since they are unique. They are very tiny flaps of skin that appear near the folds of your body. In rare cases, they may be confused for other skin conditions like moles or warts.
What are causes of genital warts vs. skin tags?
Causes of genital warts
Genital warts are caused by HPV, a virus that occurs naturally and has more than 40 variations. Anyone can have HPV and most adults will contract some version of the virus during their life. Some strains of the virus cause genital warts.
Since the virus is highly contagious, you can get it from sexual contact with another person who carries the virus, whether they have an outbreak of genital warts or not.
Causes of skin tags
The exact cause of skin tags is unknown, but genetics may be a factor since they can run in families. The most prevalent theory is that friction to the skin or the skin rubbing together causes skin tags to form.
Since they are common among people with diabetes, insulin resistance may also be a factor. One study showed that HPV was present in a large number of people with skin tags, which points to the virus as a factor.
How to diagnose genital warts vs. skin tags
Diagnosing genital warts
Your doctor will complete a physical exam to diagnose warts based on their appearance. They may use a small blade to scrape away the top layers of the wart to assess its texture and complete a biopsy.
Diagnosing skin tags
Visual diagnosis is sufficient to diagnose skin tags. The only time your doctor may request additional testing is if he or she suspects a different skin condition. In that case, a biopsy will be completed to test the skin cells. You may also have to go for blood work to rule out anything that could cause harm to your body or be dangerous.

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Treating genital warts
Genital warts require a special medication used to treat sexually transmitted diseases. Since they are caused by a virus, the condition can never be cured. Still, medications that contain antivirals may help to shorten your symptoms and prevent future outbreaks.
Treating skin tags
Your doctor can remove skin tags by:
- Freezing them off with liquid nitrogen
- Burning them with a special probe tool
- Cutting them off with scissors
Home remedies for skin tags include:
- Applying a topical treatment like tea tree oil or apple cider vinegar
- Tying a string or band around the base of the skin tag to cut of circulation
These two skin conditions are easy to tell apart by both appearance and location. Although skin tags may occur in the creases of your legs near your genitals, their texture is very different from genital warts. Genital warts will be much closer to your genitals and have more of a cauliflower-like texture compared to skin tags which are fleshy flaps of skin.
What are the 10 most common STDs?
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also known as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), are common health conditions worldwide. Millions of people are diagnosed with at least one STD every year in the United States.
STDs are most likely to be spread by sexual contact including vaginal, anal or oral sex. Some STDs can even spread through intimate rubbing or grinding and non-sexual means such as through blood or blood products.
1. Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Signs and symptoms
- Genital warts that can be raised
- Flat or cauliflower-shaped
Is it curable?
No, although the infection may clear up on its own in most cases. However, treatment can help eliminate warts. Vaccines to prevent HPV are also available.
2. Trichomoniasis
Signs and symptoms
- Minor discharge or burning with urination in men.
- Yellowish-green vaginal discharge with prominent odor, itching of the vaginal area or painful sex or urination in women.
- Only 30 percent of infected people develop symptoms.
Is it curable?
Yes, but can cause pelvic inflammatory disease and prostatitis if left untreated.
3. Chlamydia
Signs and symptoms
- Burning or itching of the genitals and abnormal vaginal discharge in women.
- Discharge from the penis in men.
- Painful urination.
Is it curable?
Yes, but it can cause infertility if left untreated.
4. Gonorrhea (The Clap)
Signs and symptoms
- Burning during urination
- Vaginal or urethral discharge
- Pelvic pain in women
- Swelling of the testes and discharge from the penis in men.
Is it curable?
Yes, but if left untreated, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease in women that can lead to infertility. Untreated gonorrhea in men can also lead to male infertility.
5. Syphilis
Signs and symptoms
- A round, firm, painless sore on the genitals or anal area
- Rash on soles of the feet, palms or other parts of the body.
- Enlarged lymph nodes, fever, fatigue and hair loss
Is it curable?
Yes, and if left untreated, it can lead to nerve damage, blindness, paralysis and even turn life-threatening.
6. Genital herpes
Signs and symptoms
- Fluid-filled blisters known as herpes sores that ooze and later crust followed by healing.
- Tingling or burning sensation a day before the sores appear.
- Fever
- Chills
Is it curable?
No, but antiviral treatment can reduce the severity of the outbreak. Over the counter creams or lotions can soothe sores.
7. Hepatitis B
Signs and symptoms
- Nausea, abdominal pain
- Jaundice
- It is possible to go for years without symptoms.
Is it curable?
No, but there is a vaccine to prevent hepatitis B infection. Most people recover with proper treatment.
8. Human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS)
Signs and symptoms
- Flu-like symptoms
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Rash, night sweats
- Sore throat
- Recurrent mouth ulcers
- Unintentional rapid weight loss
- Diarrhea lasting for more than a week with new infections
Is it curable?
No, but proper antiretroviral medications can suppress virus multiplication in the body.
9. Bacterial vaginosis
Signs and symptoms
- A thin, white, gray or green vaginal discharge
- Vaginal itching
- Foul-smelling “fishy” odor
- Burning during urination
Is it curable?
Yes
10. Pubic lice
Signs and symptoms
- Itching, small red bumps or spots on the skin
- Blue spots on the thighs or lower abdomen.
- Dark brown powder (louse droppings) on the skin or in the underwear
Is it curable?
Yes
How to prevent STDs
Some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have no cure, whereas others may cause infertility. Hence, prevention is the key that can be done by following safe sex practices. Here are the important ones.
- Use condoms and dental dams during sex while ensuring they stay in place
- Limit sexual activities to only one person
- Avoid casual sex
Be aware of the modes of transmission of STDs. You can gather knowledge from reliable sexual health education sources.
If you have an STD, you may have no symptoms at all initially or have mild symptoms. Do not hesitate to get tested if you feel you are at risk of STDs.
Get vaccinated. It can help prevent STDs.
Having one STD also makes you more likely to get another STD. Discuss the risks with your doctor.
Share the status of your sexual health with your partner and encourage them to do the same. Seek early treatment if tests come out to be positive for any STD and encourage your partner to get tested and treated early.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "Genital HPV Infection — Fact Sheet."
Harvard Health Publishing: "Skin tag removal: Optional but effective."
Penn Medicine: "The Skinny on Skin Tags: 6 Questions and Answers."
Teens Health: "Genital Warts (HPV)."
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: "HPV (Human Papillomavirus)." CDC - Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): "Diseases and Related Conditions."
World Health Organization: "Four curable sexually transmitted infections - all you need to know."
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