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.
Illustration by Michela Buttignol for Verywell Health
This article discusses genital skin tags, their symptoms, and their causes.
It also covers treatment options.
Illustration by Michela Buttignol for Verywell Health
What Are the Symptoms of Genital Skin Tags?
Genital skin tags do not usually cause symptoms.
Skin tags may develop as early as in your 20s.
Most people stop getting new ones after age 70.
What is the Difference Between Genital Skin Tags and Genital Warts?
It can be fairly simple to tell the difference between skin tags andwarts.
Skin tags
Warts
The warts themselves are not cancerous.
They can signal an infection or virus, though, such ashumanpapillomavirus(HPV).
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.
What Causes Genital Skin Tags?
Researchers are not sure what causes skin tags.
Theyre more likely to occur where the skin folds.
Since your skin folds in your genital area, they can appear there.
Skin tags arent 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?
You need the right diagnosis before you’re able to 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.
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.
How Are Genital Skin Tags Treated?
Skin tags on the genitals are benign, which means they are not cancerous.
If you want them removed due to appearance or discomfort, its 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.
This means you’re free to 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.
What is the Prognosis for Genital Skin Tags?
Skin tags aren’t something you gotta medically worry about.
If you do get them removed, keep in mind that you may still get more in the future.
Always check that 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.
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.
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.
