Is it genital warts or skin tags? These two conditions are common and present benign skin growths that look the same, making it difficult to differentiate, especially for the untrained eye.

These two conditions are harmless though genital warts are a sign of infection; therefore, they need treatment, but they usually go away on their own. However, knowing whether what you develop is genital warts or skin tags can be a problem because these conditions present almost similar symptoms.

It is, therefore, important to see your doctor if you can’t identify the condition based on the symptoms though most people avoid this as it can be embarrassing. Fortunately, this guide will help you differentiate between these two conditions. Read on to learn more.

What are genital warts?

Genital warts are soft growths appearing on the genitals, anus, mouth, or throat, and they can cause itching, pain, and discomfort, but they are non-cancerous. Genital warts are sexually transmitted infections caused by human papillomavirus.

There are over 100 strains of HPV, but low strains like HPV6 and HPV 11 are responsible for genital warts. Once infected with the HPV virus, it can take up to three months to develop into genital warts that develop into flat or slightly raised bumps on the skin’s surface. High strains can lead to severe conditions like cancer and cervical dysplasia.

HPV is the most common STI, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and more than 80 percent of people contract this disease once in their lifetime.

Though it affects both genders, it is more dangerous for women because it can affect the vulva and cause cancer of the vulva and cervix. Skin-to-skin contact through oral, vaginal, or anal sex is the transmission mode of this contagious disease.

Genital warts are not harmful though they are signs of infection. They can get well on their own, but you can prevent their growth and any discomfort they may cause by treatment.

What are skin tags?

Skin tags are harmless, but common growths are connected to the skin by a thin stalk and grow in areas where the skin folds, like the groin, armpit, neck, or eyelid. They are egg-shaped and move around when touched therefore having a little-flap-like appearance. Noticing skin tags at first can be difficult since they have the same or slightly darker color as your skin.

Skin tags can affect anyone, but they are common in older people.

Continue reading to know if it is genital warts or skin tags

What is their general appearance?

These two conditions affect the skin; you can sometimes confuse skin tags with genital warts. But there are a few distinct features which, if you can identify them, you can differentiate the two.

What’s the general look of genital warts?

Genital warts usually look like small growths on the skin in the affected areas, usually with sexual contacts like the vagina, anus, penis, pubic region, mouth, and throat. In the latter, it can cause a painful sore throat which may require you to gargle with salt water to ease the pain and reduce inflammation. Genital warts can be the same color as your skin or slightly darker, grey, or whitish.

Genital warts can be flat, slightly raised, bumpy, and sometimes cauliflower-like. They can appear as single or in clusters and range in size in most cases; they are so minute that you can’t even notice them.

What’s the general look of skin tags?

Skin tags are small growths of less than 2mm in size though they can grow more significantly than that. They are hanging piece of skin that looks like a grain of rice and are flesh-colored darker or dark blue. They feel soft and can be wrinkly, smooth, and round.

How to identify genital warts or skin tags

Identifying these two conditions can be challenging as both can develop a single bump or grow bumps in clusters and appear in the same area.

Both bumps resulting from these two conditions are minor and identical, but you can visually spot the differences if you are keen and recognize them.

To know whether it is genital warts or skin tags, look at the following differences.

Genital warts

Genital warts mostly appear in the pubis, penis, anus, vagina, and vulva. They develop flat or slightly raised bumps on the skin surface. If you have small fleshy lumps in your genitals, mouth, or anus, which are between 1-3 mm in size, then you probably have genital warts, as this is the best way to identify them.

It can be tricky to identify the more minor bumps between the pubic air; using a mirror can help.

In a nutshell, it is good to regularly go for STD testing if you are sexually active or have spotted any symptoms that might suggest genital warts. Other symptoms of genital warts you should look out for include:

  • Bleeding genitals though rare
  • Irritation in the genital and anal area
  • Changes in skin color and texture
  • A distorted flow of urine

After contracting strains of human papillomavirus causing genital warts, it can take weeks, months, or even years to show symptoms. In some people, warts can disappear without realizing they have them.

The symptoms of genital warts are the same in both men and women, but their location can vary. In men, genital warts develop in areas like;

  • Inside the urethra, which distorts the flow of urine
  • On the scrotum
  • On the penis
  • Around and inside the anus
  • On the upper thighs

In women, they are common in areas like:

  • In the vulva
  • Around and inside the anus
  • On the upper thighs
  • In the cervix

If you notice genital warts symptoms in the above areas, see your doctor for a diagnosis to determine if you have an infection. If they confirm it, they will suggest a course of action.

Genital skin tags

They know whether genital warts or skin tags can be difficult because the latter usually resembles the former in appearance. However, there are notable differences that can help you identify skin tags.

Skin tags are small soft growths that are flesh-colored.  They easily bend when you press them as they develop on stalks on the skin’s surface. Although they are small in most cases, they can grow as big as a pencil eraser, grape, or even a fig.

Skin tags are common as one ages, and at the beginning, they grow rapidly, but after that, they rarely grow.

Your skin tag can change from flesh-colored to brown though this should not cause concern because skin tags are harmless regardless of the changes.

Skin tags mainly develop in areas with a skin fold, like the armpits, neck, eyelids, and under the breast. On rare occasions, you can find them in genital areas, thighs, and groin.

Most skin tags are due to friction. This explains why vaginal tags are as the moist nature of the vagina prevents friction. But, this cannot prevent it from developing in the labia.

Genital warts or skin tags? Causes

Genital warts and skin tags can be identical, but completely different things cause them.

Genital warts

Genital warts are the most common sexually transmitted viral infection. Human papillomavirus causes genital warts, and it is highly contagious. There are more than 100 strains of human papillomavirus, but only two cause genital warts; HPV 6 and HPV 11.

Though it is estimated that HPV affects more than 80 percent of sexually active people, not all these cases lead to genital warts, as some are due to strains that don’t cause warts.

Genital warts are common in sexually active people, and those at high risk of developing this condition are who:

  • Smoke
  • Have a compromised immune system
  • Have multiple sexual partners
  • Youths and young adults below 30 years.

Skin tags

Skin tags are common, with nearly half of adults developing at least a skin tag in their lifetime. However, their causes are still unknown though there are factors that can increase the chances of developing them. The most common factors include the following:

  • Friction. Friction on the skin can cause skin tags. Wearing underpants or clothing that frequently rubs the skin can cause skin irritation, especially in the genital area, which is delicate and cause small growths. The friction can also result from vigorous sexual intercourse.
  • Age. Age is another risk factor for skin tags. It is less common in younger people, but your chances of developing it increase as you grow older. According to research, it is common in people 40 and above.
  • Pregnancy. During pregnancy, there are a lot of hormonal changes that can increase your chances of developing skin tags. Pregnant women and their fetuses also develop fat tissues that secret leptin which can lead to skin tag growth.
  • Genetic. If your family has a history of skin tags, you are more likely to develop them.
  • Obesity. The obese have hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance. The former can activate insulin-growth factor 1, stimulating tissue growth and the skin tag.
  • Type 2 diabetes. A skin tag is one of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. This is due to the body’s resistance to the excess insulin caused by type 2 diabetes.

How to diagnose genital warts or skin tags

These two conditions are identical, and the only surest way to know what that growth is is by seeing a professional. So if you suspect the growths are genital warts, see your doctor immediately. Let’s look at the diagnosis of each of these conditions.

Genital warts

During the diagnosis of genital warts, your doctor will first look at your medical and sexual history by asking you questions. They will want to know the last time you had sex if you used condoms or dental dams, and whether it was oral, vagina, or anal sex. They’d also want to know about the symptoms you’ve experienced.

They can then perform a physical examination where warts are developing. Because they are professionals, they can diagnose you just by viewing the bumps.

If they cannot diagnose you through viewing, they may perform an acetowhite test- applying a mild acidic solution to the skin to make genital warts more visible. Your doctor may perform a pelvic examination if you have a vulva, as genital warts can also develop in the vulva.

Your doctor may also perform an STI test to confirm if the bumps are genital warts.

Skin tags

Like genital warts, your doctor will ask questions about your family history and sexual activities. They will then ask you if you are comfortable testing for an STI to rule them out. They can then conduct a physical examination of the growth.

Your doctor may perform a biopsy by removing one of the growths and then freezing the area. They’ll then send the sample to the laboratory for examination under a microscope.

Treatment options

There are treatment options for genital warts or skin tags though it isn’t necessary as both conditions are harmless.

Skin tags

Skin tags are harmless and do not require any treatment. But, if it causes discomfort or irritation, your doctor may suggest surgical removal of the growths.

Genital warts

Genital warts are an incurable viral disease, but you can treat its symptoms. In most cases, genital warts go away on their own and do not need treatment. But it is good to treat them as it helps:

  • Ease the itching
  • Decrease the chances of spreading the virus
  • Clear warts thus help you know that it’s not cancer.

It is important to note that you can spread warts to others even without visible symptoms. OTC treatments cannot treat genital warts. To treat genital warts, your doctor may prescribe the following medications:

  • Trichloroacetic acid
  • Imiquimod
  • Podophyllin and podofilox

If warts don’t disappear even after treatment, your doctor may suggest surgical removal of the bumps through the following procedures:

  • Laser treatments
  • Excision. Cutting off warts surgically or manually.
  • Freezing warts or cryosurgery
  • Burning the bumps using electric current; electrocautery
  • Injecting you with the rug interferon

Your doctor may also suggest these procedures if you have skin tags.

Can you prevent genital warts or skin tags?

Nobody knows how or why skin tags develop; therefore, there is no way to prevent them from developing.

But you can avoid contracting and spreading genital warts. HPV spreads through sexual contact; therefore, the surest way to prevent contracting or spreading is through condoms and dental dams whenever you are having sex.

It is important to be open with your sexual partner by disclosing a history of genital warts if you have one. You should also avoid sexual intercourse while under treatment for genital warts.

You can also prevent contracting genital warts by getting the HPV vaccine. This vaccine is for teens and young adults, but you can still get it if you are an older adult. The vaccine can protect you against the HPV strain that causes genital warts and those increasing chances of cervical cancer.

Other common sexually transmitted infections

Besides human papillomavirus, there are other sexually transmitted diseases that you should have in mind, and they include:

Genital herpes

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted viral infection caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 though herpes simplex virus type 1 can also cause it through oral sex. The main transmission mode is sexual contact, both oral, vaginal, and oral.

Like genital warts, genital herpes can form bumps or blisters, which can erupt with time and form painful blisters. Genital herpes rarely shows symptoms as the virus can stay dormant for so long, making the virus most common as most people spread it without their knowledge. For this reason, it is important to go for STD testing if you think you’ve contracted the herpes virus.

The most common symptoms of genital herpes include the following:

  • Small red bumps in the genitals, anus, or mouth
  • Genital pain and itching
  • Ulcers that form when the blisters raptures and bleed
  • Scabs that form when the ulcers heal
  • Painful urination

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted bacterial infection. It is due to the bacteria chlamydia trachomatis, commonly spread through anal, vaginal, or oral sex. Chlamydia is common in young women but affects both genders and all age groups.

Chlamydia rarely causes symptoms, especially in the early stages, and even if they do cause them, they are usually mild, and it’s easy to overlook them. In later stages, chlamydia can cause signs and symptoms that may include:

  • Painful urination
  • Penile discharge in men
  • Vaginal discharge in women
  • Pain when having sex in women
  • Bleeding after sex and between periods in women
  • Painful testicles in men

Other than the genitals, you can get chlamydia of the eye (conjunctivitis) when you touch your eye with the infected hands. Also, chlamydia can infect the rectum causing rectal discharge and pain.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection that spreads through sexual contact. It is due to the bacterium Treponema pallidum, which enters the body through cuts in the skin or sores during sexual activities.  These bacteria mainly affect the genitals, mouth, and rectum. Failure to treat syphilis can cause severe damage to the brain, heart, and other organs.

Once this bacterium enters your body, it can remain dormant for years and become active again. Syphilis develops in four stages; primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary, but it is more contagious in the primary and secondary stages.

Syphilis rarely cause symptoms, and because of this, most people spread it without their knowledge.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a common type of sexually transmitted infection cause by bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. You can pass this bacterium to another person through sexual contact; anal, vaginal, or oral sex. This bacterium affects both genders, and it commonly affects the rectum, urethra, and throat. Additionally, it can affect the cervix in women.

It also affects the eye, especially in babies who contract the bacteria from their mothers during delivery.

Gonorrhea usually causes no symptoms, but when it does, it will vary depending on the body part they affect and the gender. Generally, gonorrhea can cause symptoms like:

  • Painful urination
  • Pain in one of the testicles
  • Discharge from the penis tip
  • Abnormal vaginal discharge
  • Abdominal pain in women
  • Vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse or between the periods

The best way to prevent contracting gonorrhea or any other STD is through abstinence from sex, regular use of protection when having sex, and being in a mutually monogamous relationship.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasitic protozoon trichomonas vaginalis. This parasite passes from one person to another during sexual contact, including anal, vaginal, and oral sex.

Trichomonas vaginalis mainly affects the lower genital tract, including the urethra, vulva, and cervix in women and the urethra in men. This is why trichomoniasis is common in women.

Trichomoniasis causes symptoms that differ in men and women. The signs and symptoms may include:

  • Burning, itching, and redness of the genitals
  • Painful urination
  • Painful sexual intercourse in women
  • Unusual vaginal discharge with a foul smell
  • Penile discharge
  • Burning during or after ejaculation

Conclusion

Most people confuse genital warts and skin tags because they present almost similar symptoms. These two conditions have notable differences, as one is an infection while the other is not.

Genital warts are STIs due to the human papillomavirus. You should note that HPV is not a genital wart, as most people think. HPV has various strains, but only two causes genital warts, HPV 6 and HPV 11. These are the mild strains of HPV. The severe strains of HPV cause serious problems like cancer.

Skin tags are growths that occur in areas w and skin folds that have no known cause. They can be triggered by factors like age, friction, obesity, genetics, and pregnancy.

Contributor: admin