Skin tags and warts are common skin outgrowths that are benign, meaning they are not harmful or cancerous. Skin tags are small, soft growths that dangle off the skin and are commonly generated where the skin rubs against one other, such as the armpits, neck, and groin. Skin tags are more common in overweight or diabetic patients. Warts are skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) in the top layer of the skin. Warts have a rough texture and can be dark, flat, or smooth. Both may be removed using a number of methods.

Skin Tags – There are many potential causes of skin tags including genetics or health concerns such as obesity, diabetes, or human papillomavirus (HPV). Skin tags are a collection of blood vessels and collagen that often form within the skin’s creases. They are frequently caused by friction or rubbing of the skin against other skin. This occurs in areas such as the neck, armpits, groin folds, eyelids, and under the breast. Once developed, skin tags do not disappear naturally.

Warts – Warts are caused by viruses in the human papillomavirus (HPV) family and are frequently transmitted through skin-to-skin contact or indirectly. Due to the many different strains of HPV, certain strains are more likely to develop warts on different areas of the body. Individuals exposed to the virus often or have a weakened immune system are more prone to develop warts.

Individuals who have a skin tag or wart that causes discomfort or is aesthetically unpleasing are suitable candidates for removal. Skin tags and warts may be found in places prone to rubbing and increased discomfort, and removal may be advised to avoid future irritation or infection. It is critical to have a qualified healthcare professional evaluate the skin tag or wart before undergoing any removal procedure.

Skin tags and warts can be removed using a variety of methods, including but not limited to:

Cryotherapy – This treatment for both skin tags and warts involve the use of intense cold to freeze and eliminate growth. Using liquid nitrogen or another freezing chemical, the cells of the growth are destroyed, causing the skin tag or wart to eventually fall off or slough away.

Surgical Excision – Through a small surgical incision, this procedure completely removes the growth of skin tags and warts. A local anesthetic is administered to numb the area around the growth, and a small incision is made to remove the skin tag or wart. Sutures or sterile strips are used to close the incisions.

Additionally, warts can be removed using the following treatments:

Electrosurgery & Curettage (E&C) – Warts that have proven to be resistant to other treatments may benefit from a combination of these two treatments. After numbing the area around the wart with a local anesthetic, the wart tissue is scraped away with a curette. An electrosurgical needle warms and cauterizes the area, destroying any remaining wart tissue.

Cantharidin – Cantharidin is a medication that is typically administered by a healthcare professional and works gradually to eliminate the wart by creating a blister beneath the wart. The blister removes the wart from the skin, and the dead wart and blister either fall off together or will be clipped off.

The time required to remove a skin tag or wart varies depending on the procedure used as well as the size and location of the growth. Non-surgical treatments conducted in an outpatient clinic can take anywhere from a few minutes to a half hour to complete. Whereas surgical excision may require a longer operation.

Skin tag and wart removal results will vary depending on the method used to remove the skin tag or wart and individual factors such as skin type and healing ability. In general, surgical removal of a skin tag or wart results in a permanent solution as the growth is physically removed from the skin. However, some methods may require multiple treatments or follow-up appointments. The removal of skin tags and warts does not guarantee that a new skin tag or wart may develop in the same or other areas of the body in the future.

While risks are relatively rare, as with any cosmetic procedure, the removal of skin tags and warts may have potential risks. Side effects and risks include, but are not limited to:

• Infection

• Bleeding

• Scarring

• Allergic reaction

The cost of removing skin tags and warts varies depending on several factors, including the type of treatment, the size and location of the growth, geographic location, and the surgeon & their experience. In Canada, non-surgical techniques such as cryotherapy and  electrosurgery & curettage can cost between $50 and $300 per session. Surgical excision is often more expensive, with expenses ranging from $500 to $1,500 or more depending on the individual situation.