Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Are the Symptoms of Genital Skin Tags?What is the Difference Between Genital Skin Tags and Genital Warts?What Causes Skin TagsGenital Skin Tag DiagnosisHow Are Genital Skin Tags Treated?What is the Prognosis?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Are the Symptoms of Genital Skin Tags?
What is the Difference Between Genital Skin Tags and Genital Warts?
What Causes Skin Tags
Genital Skin Tag Diagnosis
How Are Genital Skin Tags Treated?
What is the Prognosis?
Skin tagsare relatively harmless, though they can cause pain, itching, and irritation. These non-cancerous skin growths usually develop in skin folds, including the groin. A medical professional can often remove genital skin tags.
This article discusses genital skin tags, their symptoms, and their causes. It also covers treatment options.
Genital skin tags do not usually cause symptoms. When they do, symptoms can include:
If a skin tag becomes twisted, it may develop a blood clot beneath it that can be painful.
Skin tags may develop as early as in your 20s. Most people stop getting new ones after age 70.
How to Identify and Treat an Anal Skin Tag
It can be fairly simple to tell the difference between skin tags andwarts.
Skin tags
Warts
HPV warts can crop up and disappear over time. They may reappear in another spot. Sometimes clusters of several warts will form, which may look like cauliflower.
Pictures of Warts: What Different Types of Warts Looks Like
What Causes Genital Skin Tags?
Researchers are not sure what causes skin tags. They’re more likely to occur where the skin folds. Since your skin folds in your genital area, they can appear there.
Skin tags aren’t contagious. They can’t be transmitted through sexual contact. Some conditions may increase your chances of getting skin tags, though. These include:
How Are Genital Skin Tags Diagnosed?
See a healthcare provider as soon as possible if you see anything out of the ordinary in your genital area. You need the right diagnosis before you can get the right treatment.
Skin tags usually grow in dry, folded areas surrounding the vagina and penis. They are often found where underwear or other clothing rubs against the skin.
Your healthcare provider will talk to you about your medical history. You may be asked:
Note that you will need to get undressed so the healthcare provider can examine your skin.
Speak to your healthcare provider if you notice the skin tag:
If your healthcare provider can’t tell whether your skin growth is a skin tag, you may need abiopsy. During a biopsy, a small piece of the skin is removed and examined in a laboratory.
Skin Cancer or Skin Tag?Some cancers can look similar to a skin tag. Healthcare providers can usually tell if your growth is a genital skin tag based on its appearance.
Skin Cancer or Skin Tag?
Some cancers can look similar to a skin tag. Healthcare providers can usually tell if your growth is a genital skin tag based on its appearance.
Skin tags on the genitals are benign, which means they are not cancerous. If you want them removed due to appearance or discomfort, it’s best left to a professional.
At-home treatment or removal of skin tags in the genital area is risky. This is because the skin is so sensitive. At-home removal could cause infection, pain, and scarring.
A medical professional can remove your skin tags with one of these options:
All three of these options are outpatient procedures. This means you can have them done in a medical office and leave afterward. You may be able to get multiple skin tags removed at once. Ask your healthcare provider about this in advance.
Does Insurance Cover Skin Tag Removal?Insurance rarely covers the removal of skin tags. This is because they are considered a cosmetic issue and not a health risk.
Does Insurance Cover Skin Tag Removal?
Insurance rarely covers the removal of skin tags. This is because they are considered a cosmetic issue and not a health risk.
What is the Prognosis for Genital Skin Tags?
Skin tags aren’t something you need to medically worry about. If you do get them removed, keep in mind that you may still get more in the future. Always make sure to have a healthcare provider check any changes to your skin in the genital area.
Summary
Genital skin tags are harmless growths that appear in the genital area. They usually don’t cause symptoms.
Researchers don’t know what causes skin tags. Some people are more prone to getting them, including people who are living with obesity, pregnant, or have a family history of skin tags.
You don’t usually need to have skin tags removed. If they bother you, a healthcare provider can use cryosurgery, excision, or cauterization to remove them.
Causes of Skin Tags and How to Prevent Them
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Skin tags.National Cancer Institute.HPV and cancer.National Library of Medicine.Skin tags.Harvard Health Publishing.Skin tags (acrochordon).University of Michigan.Removing moles and skin tags.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Skin tags.National Cancer Institute.HPV and cancer.National Library of Medicine.Skin tags.Harvard Health Publishing.Skin tags (acrochordon).University of Michigan.Removing moles and skin tags.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Skin tags.National Cancer Institute.HPV and cancer.National Library of Medicine.Skin tags.Harvard Health Publishing.Skin tags (acrochordon).University of Michigan.Removing moles and skin tags.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Skin tags.
National Cancer Institute.HPV and cancer.
National Library of Medicine.Skin tags.
Harvard Health Publishing.Skin tags (acrochordon).
University of Michigan.Removing moles and skin tags.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
