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Wayne/Chesterbrook, PA

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Warts vs. Skin Tags: What’s the Difference and When to Treat Them

Introduction

Ever noticed a strange bump on your skin and wondered, “What in the world is that?” You’re not alone. Skin growths such as warts and skin tags are more common than you might think, and are often mistaken for each other. Though both are generally harmless, learning the differences between them can inform your decision to watch, treat, or have them surgically removed by a dermatologist.

In this article, we’ll break down what makes warts and skin tags distinct, what causes them to appear, how to tell them apart, and when it might be time to seek professional care.

While this article spells out some important information about Warts and Skin Tags, we highly recommend you read the full article, here are the key points we will focus on:

Table of Contents

Skin Tags

What Are Warts and What Causes Them?

Warts are tiny, rough, skin-colored lesions caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus causes a surplus growth of keratin, a hard protein in the skin, that leads to a wart’s thickened, textured surface. Warts are contagious and can spread through direct contact with the virus, including touching a wart or touching surfaces like towels, floors, or razors that have been contaminated.

There are several different types of warts, including:

  • Common warts (typically on fingers and hands)
  • Plantar warts (on the sole of the feet and can be painful)
  • Flat warts (smaller and smoother, typically on the face or legs)
  • Filiform warts (thread-like growths, typically around the mouth or eyes)
  • Periungual warts (around fingernails and toenails)

 

While warts are not harmful, they can be painful, spread easily, and can take months or even years to vanish by themselves without treatment.

What Are Skin Tags and Why Do They Form?

Skin tags are small, soft, benign growths that often dangle from the skin on a stalk. These flesh-colored growths are not caused by a viral infection and are most commonly harmless, typically not being of any health risk to you.

While the exact cause of skin tags is not known, several factors have been implicated in the causation:

  • Friction: This is possibly the most common theory. Skin tags tend to occur where skin rubs against skin, such as the armpits, groin, neck, eyelids, and the breast crease. Constant rubbing might bring about excess growth of the skin.
  • Genetics: There is an apparent genetic component, as skin tags run in the family. If close family members or parents have skin tags, you may be prone to developing them.
  • Obesity and Weight Gain: Individuals who are obese or overweight are more likely to develop additional skin tags because there are additional skin folds and increased friction between the skin surfaces.
  • Aging: Skin tags are increasingly prevalent with increasing age, and their frequency increases much after middle life.
  • Hormonal Changes: Hormonal imbalances, as can happen during pregnancy, sometimes lead to the formation of skin tags.
  • Insulin Resistance and Diabetes: Some research suggests that the presence of several skin tags is related to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. They might on occasion be a marker for an underlying metabolic dysfunction.

How Can You Tell If It’s a Wart or a Skin Tag?

Given their somewhat similar appearance, it can be tricky to differentiate between a wart and a skin tag. However, by observing a few key characteristics, you can often determine which type of growth you’re dealing with.

Here are the primary ways to distinguish between them:

Appearance and Texture

  • Warts tend to have a rough, bumpy, and often cauliflower-like surface. They might be flesh-colored, white, pink, or tan. Many warts, especially common warts, may have tiny black or dark red pinpoints within them, which are clotted blood vessels.
  • Skin Tags are typically soft, smooth, and fleshy, often resembling a small, deflated balloon or a tiny piece of hanging skin. They are usually skin-colored or slightly darker (hyperpigmented) and attached to the skin by a narrow stalk (peduncle).

Location

  • Warts often form on hands, feet, knees, or other areas prone to breaks in the skin.
  • Skin tags are most common in areas where skin folds or rubs together, like the neck, underarms, or groin.

Symptoms

  • Warts can sometimes be itchy, tender, or painful, especially if they are on a weight-bearing area like the sole of the foot (plantar warts).
  • Skin tags are generally painless unless they get irritated, snagged by jewelry or clothing, or twisted, which can cause them to become red or inflamed.

 

If you’re unsure, a dermatologist can accurately diagnose the growth and recommend appropriate treatment if necessary.

Are Warts or Skin Tags Harmful to Your Health?

In most cases, both warts and skin tags are benign (non-cancerous) and not dangerous to your overall health. However, their presence can sometimes cause discomfort or raise cosmetic concerns, especially depending on their location or if they begin to change in appearance.

Warts: 

  • Warts are contagious and can spread to other parts of the body or to other people.
  • Some warts may become painful, especially those located on the feet (plantar warts) or around nails (periungual warts).
  • Persistent or changing warts should be examined by a dermatologist to rule out more serious conditions or complications.

Skin Tags:

  • Harmless and non-contagious, skin tags typically don’t pose any medical risk.
  • They can become irritated or inflamed if they rub against clothing or jewelry.
  • Occasionally, a skin tag may twist at the base, leading to discomfort or discoloration.

 

Although they’re rarely a cause for concern, it’s important to get them evaluated by a professional to ensure it’s not something more serious, such as a precancerous lesion or skin cancer.

When Should You See a Dermatologist for Warts or Skin Tags?

If you face the following signs and symptoms, it’s recommended to schedule an appointment:

  • The growth changes in size, color, or shape
  • The spot bleeds, itches, or becomes painful
  • You’re unsure if it’s a wart, skin tag, or something else
  • The wart is spreading or recurring
  • The skin tag is in a high-friction area
  • Cosmetic concerns

Can You Prevent Warts and Skin Tags from Forming?

While not all cases are avoidable, you can take steps to lower your risk:

  • Maintain good hygiene, especially in communal areas like gyms, pools, and locker rooms.
  • Avoid sharing personal items such as razors, towels, or shoes to reduce the spread of viruses like HPV.
  • Refrain from picking or scratching existing warts to prevent spreading them to other areas.
  • Wear breathable, loose-fitting clothing to reduce skin friction that may lead to skin tags.
  • Keep skin clean and dry, especially in areas where folds or friction occur.
  • Support a strong immune system with a balanced diet, sleep, and regular exercise.
  • Monitor changes in your skin and address new growths early with a dermatologist.

How Can Bryn Mawr Dermatology Help With Warts or Skin Tags?

If you’re unsure about a skin growth or simply want it professionally evaluated or removed, Bryn Mawr Dermatology offers the expert care you can trust. Our board-certified dermatologists specialize in identifying and treating a wide range of skin conditions, including warts and skin tags. We use safe, effective techniques to remove unwanted lesions with minimal discomfort and downtime.

Unlike over-the-counter remedies that may be ineffective or cause irritation, our in-office treatments are tailored to your skin type, medical history, and cosmetic concerns. Whether you’re dealing with persistent warts, skin tags in sensitive areas, or simply want peace of mind, our team is here to help.

Call us at (267) 486-3482 or book an appointment online to meet with one of our trusted dermatology professionals. Let us help you feel confident and comfortable in your skin.

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Bryn Mawr Dermatology

Content Review Committee at Bryn Mawr Dermatology

Led by Board Certified Dermatologist, Christine Stanko, MD, FAAD, Bryn Mawr Dermatology incorporates a patient-focused outlook in every decision since we first opened our doors on the Main Line in 2005.
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By: Bryn Mawr Dermatology, Published: March 4 2024
Medically Reviewed By: Christine Stanko, MD, FAAD –March 3, 2025

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