Warts vs Skin Tags: How you can zap both in your lunch break

Warts and skin tags are both harmless skin growths. While many people sometimes confuse them, they’re very different. Still, they do have things in common; first, they’re never welcomed. Fortunately, there are several ways to get rid of them. Treatment is quick and easy with in-and-out procedures you could do in 30 minutes or less!

Warts

Despite being incredibly common, nobody appreciates a wart. Contrary to what your mother says, you can’t catch them from kissing frogs, but you can get them from touching someone who’s got them. All warts are caused by a highly contagious virus, a strain of the human papillomavirus (HPV) family. It typically enters your skin via a tiny cut or scratch, so men often get them in their beard area if they shave. Once the virus enters your skin, it causes your cells to rapidly replicate, resulting in a bumpy-textured growth. Happily, treating warts is an easy fix. It can be blitzed in a flash using cryotherapy, a procedure that uses a little liquid nitrogen to freeze it off. As it’s so cold, it has a numbing effect that makes it uncomfortable instead of painful. (Many patients describe the feeling as stuck to an ice cube!) After the initial freezing, you might feel a mild burning sensation as the wart thaws and turns into a blister. After about 4 to 7 days, it’ll break up and disintegrate. Easy, right? Another way to tackle warts is via a long-pulsed Nd: YAG laser like the Laser Genesis. It’s an ideal solution for stubborn warts that won’t go away; usually, just one treatment is necessary. A topical anaesthetic can be applied to the affected area before treatment, but many of our patients don’t bother with it as the flash of discomfort is so fleeting.

Skin tags

Unlike a rough-textured wart, a skin tag is a soft, smooth growth that looks like a tiny ‘flap’ attached to your skin via a narrow stalk that’s called a “peduncle”. (Yes, we laughed too.) While warts are contagious, skin tags are not, as they’re caused by friction, not a virus. This is why you’ll find them in areas where skin rubs against skin. Think armpits, thighs and the groin area. Men who wear collared shirts that constantly rub against their necks are also at risk of developing a skin tag. Much like warts, skin tags are harmless but unsightly. However, things can get messy if you’re getting them in an area you usually shave. If you nick one of them, you risk getting an infection. Speaking of which, don’t attempt to cut off, or worse yet, pull off a skin tag by yourself. That’s another sure-fire route to infection. Your best bet is to make an appointment to see a doctor who can perform a quick, simple and, most importantly, sterile skin tag removal.  They can perform an excision using a scalpel or freeze it off via cryotherapy. If you apply a topical anaesthetic, you won’t feel a thing!

The bottom line

Warts and skin tags are completely benign, but can become a serious infection if you attempt to get rid of them yourself. If you’ve got either or both and they’re bothering you, it’s best that you make an appointment to see a doctor who can remove them in a painless, fast, and sterile manner. They’ll be able to advise on the best removal method and, whichever you choose, they can ensure you leave wart and skin-tag-free in minutes.