Genital skin tags and genital warts can look similar, but the causes and treatments are different. Skin tags are usually oval or egg shaped. Genital warts can look like flat or slightly raised lesions or bumps.

Skin tags, or acrochordons, are growths that often occur in areas where the skin folds, such as your neck and groin.

Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI).

If you’re not sure about the atypical growths on your genitals, it’s a good idea to contact your doctor. If you suspect those skin spots are genital warts, or if you know you’ve been exposed to HPV, you should contact your doctor right away.

Keep reading to learn more about what these bumps look like, what causes them, and how to treat them.

While these two skin conditions look similar, there are a few distinct characteristics that can help you differentiate between the two.

What do genital skin tags look like?

View the slideshow below for photos of skin tags.

What do genital warts look like?

View the slideshow below for photos of genital warts.

Both skin tags and genital warts can develop as a single bump, or they can grow in clusters. It’s possible for additional tags or warts to appear in the same area over time.

These bumps are usually small, which may make identification harder, but there are clear visual differences between the two that may make it easier to recognize what you have.

Genital skin tags

Genital skin tags are soft tissue fibromas, or small, flesh-colored growths. They have the following characteristics:

  • They develop on stalks or tiny “limbs” off the surface of your skin.
  • When you press them, they’re soft and should bend easily.
  • Although most skin tags are small, between around 1 millimeter (mm) and 5 mm, they can be around 1 centimeter (cm) to 2 cm.

Skin tags are very common. They usually develop:

  • on the neck
  • under the armpits
  • in between other folds of skin

They can also develop in your groin or on your genitalia.

Vaginal tags are less common. This is due to the moist nature of the vagina. Most tags are caused by friction, and the moist environment prevents this. Skin tags may still develop on the pubis or labia.

Learn more about vaginal skin tags.

Genital warts

Genital warts are flat or slightly raised bumps on the surface of your skin.

  • They can appear on the:
    • pubis
    • vagina
    • vulva
    • penis
    • anus
  • Genital warts may be flesh-colored or a close variation of your skin color. They can also be pearly, dark purple, brown, or gray.
  • Genital warts may disappear, only to come back in another spot.
  • The surface of genital warts may feel bumpy or rough when touched. Some people desceribe them as having a “cauliflower” look.
  • They may appear as a single bump, or they can grow in small clusters.
  • Sometimes, genital warts can itch or even bleed.

Although these bumps can have a similar visual appearance, they’re caused by different things.

Genital skin tags

Almost half of adults will develop at least one skin tag in their life. While there is not one single cause of skin tags, several factors can increase your risk for developing them.

Some risk factors for genital skin tags include:

  • Friction: Skin-on-fabric contact from clothing or underwear can cause skin tags to develop. The frequent rubbing between clothes and skin can irritate the delicate skin of the genital area and cause these small growths. Friction from sexual intercourse may also cause genital skin tags.
  • Pregnancy: Changes in hormonal levels during pregnancy can increase your risk.
  • Obesity. People who are living with obesity are more likely to develop skin tags.
  • Type 2 diabetes: Skin tags can be a sign of type 2 diabetes or high insulin levels.
  • Age: Skin tags are more common in later life.
  • Genetics: If you have family members who have skin tags, you may be more likely to develop them.

Genital warts

HPV infection causes genital warts. This is a type of STI, and it’s highly contagious.

There are around 100 types of HPV. Of those, only a few are responsible for genital warts.

HPV is very common. However, only around 10% of people with HPV infection will develop genital warts.

To make a diagnosis, your doctor will typically begin by conducting a physical examination and looking at the bumps or growths. This can be enough to diagnose genital warts or skin tags.

In some cases, your doctor may order a biopsy. This involves removing one of the growths or bumps.

The doctor will send the tissue to a laboratory for examination under a microscope. Your lab technician can usually confirm the diagnosis at this stage.

If the results are unclear, your doctor may order blood tests to identify other potential causes.

Genital skin tags and genital warts have different treatments.

Treating skin tags

Often, skin tags do not require treatment. Unless they become irritated or cause you problems, doctors will not usually recommend surgical removal.

Learn more about treating skin tags.

Treating genital warts

Genital warts often go away on their own. However, treating them has some benefits, including:

  • relieving the itching
  • lowering the risk of spreading the virus
  • helping you feel confident the warts are not cancer when treatment successfully clears them up

If you do decide to treat your genital warts, your doctor will most likely prescribe topical medication like podofilox or imiquimod.

Learn about possible home remedies for genital warts.

Removing skin tags or genital warts

If you choose to completely remove genital skin tags or genital warts, your options are frequently the same. Examples of these treatments include:

  • cryosurgery, which freezes off the growth with liquid nitrogen
  • excision, which involves cutting the growth out manually or surgically
  • electrocautery, which eliminates the warts with an electrical current

It may not be possible to completely prevent skin tags. However, steps that may help include:

  • maintaining a moderate weight
  • treating underlying conditions such as diabetes
  • avoiding wearing clothing that causes a lot of friction

If you’re sexually active, you can decrease your risk for HPV by using a condom or other barrier method. It’s also important to disclose a history of genital warts to any sexual partner and avoid contact with new sexual partners until warts are successfully treated.

You can also get the HPV vaccine. The vaccine helps protect against the most common HPV strains, including strains that cause genital warts or increase your risk for cervical cancer.

Although the vaccine is primarily recommended for teens and young adults, you can still get the vaccine if you’re over the age of 26 years. It may still have some protective benefit. Talk with your doctor to make an informed decision.

Skin tags and warts can both develop in or around the genitals. They can look similar in appearance, but they have different causes and treatments.

Skin tags typically happen in response to friction or due to an underlying condition such as diabetes. Genital warts develop as a result of HPV infection.

Unless skin tags cause problems, doctors don’t usually recommend removing them. Genital warts may go away on their own in time, but topical medications can help ease symptoms.

Contact your doctor if you notice any new or worsening bumps or lesions affecting your genitals. They can confirm the diagnosis and recommend any treatments, which might include surgical removal.