Many people find it hard to determine whether they have genital warts or skin tags. Genital warts, one of the most commonly sexually transmitted diseases, are caused by a virus (Human Papilloma Virus or HPV) and they are usually found in the genital area or near the anal region in both men and women. Genital warts are growth like in appearance. On the other hand, skin tags, also known as Papilloma Colli or Acrochordon, are small pieces of soft hanging skin that usually appear in certain areas of the body, especially where the skin creases or folds. It can be somewhat difficult to tell between genital warts or skin tags but nonetheless there are particular differences.
To understand whether you have genital warts or skin tags, it’s important to know the causes and symptoms of each infection. First off, there is a distinct difference in the occurrence of either genital warts or skin tags. As earlier mentioned, genital warts are specifically found in the genital areas and are mostly contracted through sexual encounters. Skin tags come about as a result of trapped blood vessels and collagen where a substantial amount of skin enfolds. When you have genital warts or skin tags, there are a few things to look out for so as to establish what infection you have. Genital warts are seemingly like bumps and when bunched together, they have the shape of a cauliflower. Skin tags usually appear under the breasts, on the eyelids, on the upper chest or the neck.
One difference to note whether you have genital warts or skin tags is that, genital warts may be cancerous while skin tags are not. Furthermore, genital warts in pregnant women may bring about complications such as difficulty in urinating, laryngitis in the new born or increase in size and number of the warts. Though genital warts or skin tags are infections one would choose not to have, it is evident that the risk factors borne by genital warts far outweigh those of skin tags.
When it comes to treatment of genital warts or skin tags, each disease has its method of remedy. Though skin tags are considered harmless, there are a few procedures that can be undertaken to get rid of them. These include freezing or cryosurgery, cutting off the skin tag or excision, using heat on the skin tag or cauterization and ligation which involves interruption of blood supply to the skin tag. For genital warts, laser treatment or surgery could be exercised as could use of an electric current or freezing and medication such as cream or liquid application to the warts.
Whether genital warts or skin tags, it is important that you consult with a doctor for further diagnosis and to find out preventive or curative measures to undertake. A visit will also help clarify whether you have genital warts or skin tags.
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