Flat warts and skin tags are generally harmless but can be unsightly or embarrassing. On occasion, warts can itch. If skin tags are in a location where they are frequently rubbed by clothing or another part of the body, such as between the arm and chest, they can become irritated. Each is a unique skin disorder that can be clearly distinguished from the other.
Identification
MedlinePlus describes skin tags as small growths that are attached to the body through a narrow piece of skin that looks like a slender stalk. They are generally flesh colored or slightly darker. Flat warts are smooth and rarely larger than a pin-head, according to the Warts Information Center. Flat warts tend to be colored in a shade similar to your skin's natural color and are difficult to see until clusters of the warts form.
Who Gets Them
The National Institute on Aging notes that skin tags become more common after midlife, appearing more frequently on women than men. Flat warts, on the other hand, are more common in children and adolescents and rarely occur in adults.
Causes
Flat warts are caused by exposure to one of the human papillomaviruses (HPV). Over one hundred types of HPV have been identified, and HPV is common in both men and women, according to the Warts Information Center. FloridaHealthFinder.gov notes that people with diabetes or who are overweight are more prone to developing skin tags, but there may be a genetic link, as well.
Contagious
Because flat warts are caused by human papillomaviruses (HPV), they can spread through skin to skin contact and from one part of your body to another. Skin tags are not contagious.
Removal
Flat warts are removed through over-the-counter medications applied to the wart every day for several weeks. For flat warts that appear on the face, you might want to contact your doctor or dermatologist for applications of stronger medications such as salicylic acid, or treatments such as freezing or burning. Do not pick at a flat wart as you can cause it to spread or open the skin over the wart, creating the possibility of an infection.
If skin tags are unsightly or irritating, they can be removed by a dermatologist through freezing or cauterizing. Do not pull skin tags from your body as the open wound can become infected.
