What is a wart?
A wart is a type of infection caused by viruses in the human papilloma virus family. (HPV) There are more than 100 types of HPV viruses

Who is most likely affected with warts?
Skin tags are more common in middle aged women then men or children, but anybody can get them. Both men and women are susceptible to them as they age and they are quite common in those over 60 years of age. They can occur after pregnancy or weight gain. They are also more likely seen in obese people as well as people with Type 2 diabetes. A tendency to develop skin tags may run in families. In some cases babies are born with skin tags.

Where on the body are they most likely found?
Skin tags are most likely found where the skin may crease, such as around the neck, underarms, groin, under the breasts , inside of the upper thigh area, truncal areas, or on the eyelids or cheeks. They can occur just about anywhere.

Diagnosis
Characteristic appearance of skin tags include:
• Soft
• Easily moveable
• Flesh-colored or slightly darker
• Usually attached to the skin surface by a stalk

If it is not obvious that your skin growth is a skin tag you may want your doctor to have a look at it.

How long do they last?
Unless removed, skin tags are permanent.

Is it a tumor? Are they cancerous?
Yes, Skin tags are tumors in the sense that they are a growth. The difference is that skin tags are benign, meaning they are non cancerous.

What causes Skin Tags? Is there any prevention?
The cause of skin tags is unknown but it is believed that the following play a role in their formation:
• High levels of Growth Factors
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Frictional pressure of skin rubbing against skin

There is no known way to prevent the formation of skin tags.

Why get them removed?
Although skin tags are benign, there are still reasons why you may want them removed:
• They may be rubbed and irritated by clothing, jewelry, etc. which may cause
some pain and an inflammation of the area
• Cosmetic reasons

Options for Removal:
• Laser removal
• Electrosurgery
• Surgical excision
• Cryotherapy
• Ligation
• Natural non-evasive methods