Warts and skin tags are common benign skin growths that affect people of all ages. Although medically harmless, they can cause discomfort, irritation, or cosmetic concern, prompting many individuals to seek medical advice. Understanding the difference between these two conditions is essential for choosing the appropriate treatment and avoiding unnecessary complications.
What Are Warts?
Warts are small, rough skin growths caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). They can develop on various parts of the body, most commonly the hands, feet, face, and fingers. Since warts are contagious, they can spread through direct skin-to-skin contact or by touching contaminated surfaces.
There are several types of warts, including:
- Common warts on hands and fingers
- Plantar warts on the soles of the feet
- Flat warts often seen on the face or arms
- Filiform warts with thread-like projections
What Are Skin Tags?
Skin tags, medically known as acrochordons, are soft, flesh-colored growths that hang from the skin. They commonly appear in areas where skin rubs together, such as the neck, underarms, groin, eyelids, and beneath the breasts. Unlike warts, skin tags are not contagious and are not caused by viral infections. While harmless, they may become irritated due to friction from clothing or jewelry.
Medical Treatment Options for Warts:
Treatment depends on the size, location, and persistence of the wart:
- Topical Therapy: Salicylic acid preparations gradually remove infected skin layers and are effective with consistent use over several weeks.
- Cryotherapy: Liquid nitrogen is used to freeze the wart, causing it to blister and fall off. Multiple sessions may be required.
- Electrosurgery and Curettage: Electrical cauterization combined with surgical scraping ensures effective wart removal.
- Laser Therapy: Laser energy destroys the wart’s blood supply and is usually reserved for resistant cases.
- Prescription Medications: Agents like imiquimod or 5-fluorouracil help stimulate the immune system to eliminate HPV.
Skin Tag Removal Options:
Professional Warts/Skin Tags Treatment in Delhi offers safe and effective procedures, including:
- Cryotherapy: Freezing causes the skin tag to dry and detach naturally.
- Excision: A dermatologist removes the tag using sterile scissors or a surgical blade.
- Electrosurgery: Electrical energy burns the skin tag while minimizing bleeding.
- Ligation: The base of the skin tag is tied off to cut blood supply, leading to natural detachment.
Home Remedies: Are They Safe?
Although many over-the-counter products and home remedies claim to remove warts or skin tags, their effectiveness is inconsistent. Improper use may result in infection, bleeding, or scarring. The FDA does not approve OTC products for complete skin tag removal, making professional consultation strongly advisable.
When Should You See a Dermatologist?
Consult a dermatologist if:
- The growth changes in size, color, or shape
- There is pain, bleeding, or infection
- The lesion causes emotional distress
- Over-the-counter treatments fail
Accurate diagnosis ensures safe and effective treatment.
Prevention Tips:
To reduce the risk of warts:
- Avoid touching warts
- Wear footwear in public showers
- Do not share personal items
To reduce the risk of skin tags:
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Wear loose clothing to reduce friction
Looking for a safe and effective way to remove warts or skin tags? At DermaStation — The Skin Clinic, we offer advanced Warts/Skin Tags Treatment in Delhi to help you achieve smooth, healthy skin. Led by Dr. Sumit Sethi, a renowned dermatologist in Delhi, we provide personalized treatment plans tailored to your skin type and condition, ensuring safe removal with minimal discomfort and downtime. Restore your skin’s appearance with expert care and proven techniques.