Skin Tags vs Warts Removal? [How To Get Rid Of Skin Tags & Warts]

Not sure which one you have? A podiatrist can tell in one visit — book a real appointment time online, 24/7: Howell or Bloomfield Township. Takes about a minute, 24/7.

✅ Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist · Last updated April 6, 2026

Skin Tags vs Warts Removal? [How To Get Rid Of Skin Tags & Warts]

Skin Tags vs Warts Removal? [How To Get Rid Of Skin Tags & Warts] 🦶Skin tags are different, Plantar warts are caused by HPV while skin tags can have several causes including metabolic syndrome. 🦶 Related Videos: Skin Tag Removal & Treatment: https://youtu.be/OBhpphxW5lw Skin Signs of High Blood Sugar: https://youtu.be/8U9b36D43xI Best Wart Treatments: https://youtu.be/9hqrT2O8s00 Plantar Warts vs. Corns vs. Calluses: https://youtu.be/-uCHjVNCElE Athlete’s Foot Fungus Treatment: https://youtu.be/ZZpw3zLrHb0 Best Diabetes Drink: https://youtu.be/YOFrlc10E4E Reverse 90% of Diabetes with this Diet: https://youtu.be/qCQW9e7CrEk 10 Best Diabetic Vitamins: https://youtu.be/sPihveT3oc0 Best Diabetic Foods: https://youtu.be/jLID96VA7j0 How to know your heart is not well: https://youtu.be/qx4QAX2L4Fo Vitamin D, Vitamin K2 & Magnesium: https://youtu.be/esTz-_Mpm4Q Reverse Clogged Arteries: https://youtu.be/oNiZo0nO048 Diabetic Neuropathy [Peripheral Neuropathy]: https://youtu.be/E_0ALrqYUSM 👉 LINKS 👈 Disclaimer: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click on one of the product links. I appreciate your support of this channel! Top 10 Skin Tag Over The Counter Remover Products: https://www.michiganfootdoctors.com/s… Top 10 plantar wart products & remedies: https://www.michiganfootdoctors.com/p… Best Planters Wart Removers: Strong Wart Remover: https://geni.us/WartRemoval Budget 2 Pack Wart Removal: https://geni.us/BudgetWart Kid’s Wart Remover: https://geni.us/dDX1Xm Strong Wart Bandaid: https://geni.us/WartBandaid Corn, Callus, Plantar Wart & Fungus Care: Best for Skin & Toenails: Best Toenail Coverup Repair Pen: https:// https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PMGMN45?tag=biernact-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1 (Amazon) Best Foot Soak: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076L558R3?tag=biernact-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1 (Amazon) Best For Dry Toenails: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NF9S9FT?tag=biernact-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1 (Amazon) Best for Fungus (Just Remember to Trim Ahead of Time!!!): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NCLXKZG?tag=biernact-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1 (Amazon) Skin tags are small, harmless growths of skin that typically occur in areas where the skin rubs against itself or clothing, such as the neck, armpits, and groin area. While skin tags are generally harmless and do not require treatment, they can be removed for cosmetic reasons or if they become irritated. There are several methods for removing skin tags, including: Cutting: A healthcare professional can cut off the skin tag with a scalpel or scissors. Freezing: This is also known as cryotherapy, and involves freezing the skin tag with liquid nitrogen, causing it to fall off. Burning: This is also known as electrocautery, and involves burning off the skin tag with a small electrical current. Ligation: This involves tying off the base of the skin tag with a small string or suture, cutting off the blood supply and causing it to fall off. Over-the-counter products: There are also over-the-counter products, such as skin tag removal creams, that claim to remove skin tags. However, it’s important to use caution when using these products, as they may cause skin irritation or scarring. It’s important to note that while these methods can be effective for removing skin tags, they should always be performed by a healthcare professional to reduce the risk of complications. 👉 Shoes 👈 Best Shoes:

Podiatrist Recommended Shoes 2026: The Complete Clinical Guide

Best Products: https://www.michiganfootdoctors.com/recommended-foot-doctor-products/// 📢Come See Us in Detroit, Michigan, Berkley Michigan; Bloomfield Township, Michigan, Lansing Michigan; and Grand Blanc Michigan📢 If you are in Michigan, consider seeing us at our clinic: https://www.michiganfootdoctors.com/. https://g.page/r/CaxJ9b-O6o27EAE 👉 LINKS 👈 Disclaimer: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click on one of the product links. I appreciate your support of this channel! DISCLAIMER: Dr. Tomasz Biernacki received his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from Kent State College of Podiatric Medicine in 2013; he completed his Surgical Reconstructive Foot Surgery & Podiatric Medicine Residency in 2017; he completed 2 separate traveling Fellowships in Diabetic Surgery, Skin Grafting & Nerve Surgery. He is double board certified in Podiatric Medicine and separately in Foot & Ankle Surgery. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” about himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Biernacki is a licensed podiatrist in Michigan. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, prescription, or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Biernacki and you. It would be best if you did not change your health regimen or diet before consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition.

Michigan Podiatric Care at Balance Foot & Ankle: Expert Treatment for Every Foot Condition

Michigan patients with any foot or ankle concern — from acute injuries and chronic pain to preventive care and high-risk foot management — receive expert podiatric care at Balance Foot & Ankle. Our fellowship-trained podiatrists provide hands-on exam plus imaging when needed, accurate diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment that addresses root causes rather than simply managing symptoms. We are committed to transparent communication: patients always understand their diagnosis, their treatment options, and realistic expectations before any intervention is undertaken.

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Related Treatment Guides

• Corn & Callus Treatment
• Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain Treatment
• Custom 3D Orthotics
• Sports Foot & Ankle Injury Treatment

Our Howell office (4330 E Grand River) serves Livingston County, and our Bloomfield Township office (43494 Woodward Ave #208) serves Oakland County. Both locations offer in-office X-ray, same-week new patient scheduling, and the full range of conservative and surgical podiatric services. We accept all major Michigan insurance plans and verify coverage before appointments — no insurance surprises at check-in. Michigan patients ready to take the next step toward better foot health can call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 to schedule today.

In-Office Treatment at Balance Foot & Ankle

If home treatment isn’t providing relief for your plantar warts, our podiatry team at Balance Foot & Ankle can help with same-day evaluations and advanced in-office care.

More questions patients ask

What is the difference between skin tags and warts on the foot?

Skin tags and warts are fundamentally different: skin tags (acrochordons) are benign fibrovascular overgrowths caused by friction — they're soft, compressible, flesh-colored to slightly darker, and hang on a narrow stalk. They are NOT caused by a virus and are NOT contagious. Warts (verrucae) are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) — they're firm, flat or slightly raised, interrupt normal skin ridges, show pinpoint black dots (thrombosed capillaries) when examined closely, and ARE contagious. Skin tags appear at friction sites (toe folds, ankle creases); warts appear on the sole, toe tips, or anywhere the virus entered. Treatment differs significantly: skin tags need physical removal; warts need antiviral/keratolytic treatment. Balance Foot & Ankle (810) 206-1402 — Howell and Bloomfield Township.

Can skin tags spread to other parts of the foot or body?

Skin tags do NOT spread — they are benign, non-infectious overgrowths caused by friction, not by any pathogen. A single skin tag can grow larger over time if the friction continues, and new skin tags may develop independently in other friction-prone areas (this reflects systemic factors like insulin resistance, not spreading). Unlike warts, you cannot 'catch' a skin tag from yourself or others. Warts, by contrast, are highly contagious — they spread through direct contact with the virus, autoinoculation (touching a wart then touching another skin area), and contaminated surfaces. If you have multiple growths appearing, professional evaluation at Balance Foot & Ankle differentiates benign skin tag development from spreading warts or other conditions.

What is the fastest professional treatment for skin tags on the feet?

The fastest professional skin tag removal method is excision with scissors or scalpel under local anesthesia. The procedure takes 5–10 minutes: the area is numbed with lidocaine injection, the skin tag is clipped or excised at the base, and light pressure is applied for hemostasis. No stitches required for most tags. The patient can walk out and resume normal activities immediately. Alternative quick methods: electrodessication (5–10 minutes) and cryotherapy (15–30 minutes including application and monitoring). For multiple skin tags, all can be treated in a single office visit. At Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Township (43494 Woodward Ave #208), skin tag removal is a routine in-office procedure — call (810) 206-1402 to schedule.

Should I be worried about a growth on my foot that is changing?

Any foot growth that is changing — growing larger, changing color, bleeding spontaneously, developing irregular borders, or becoming newly painful — warrants prompt professional evaluation. While most foot growths are benign (skin tags, warts, fibromas, seborrheic keratoses), changes in any lesion raise the possibility of: malignant degeneration of a mole (melanoma — rare but serious), squamous cell carcinoma developing from a chronic wart or sore, acral lentiginous melanoma (more common in darker skin tones, often on soles), or rapidly growing benign lesions. The rule: when in doubt, get it checked. Balance Foot & Ankle evaluates concerning foot skin lesions and provides biopsy when indicated, with rapid referral to dermatology or surgical oncology when needed. Call (810) 206-1402.

What happens if I leave a wart or skin tag untreated?

Consequences of leaving each untreated differ: Skin tags left untreated may slowly enlarge, become irritated by footwear (causing pain and bleeding), or twist on their stalk causing acute inflammation. They don't become cancerous. Warts left untreated may: spontaneously resolve (30% in 3 months, 65% in 2 years), stay the same, enlarge, develop into painful mosaic clusters, spread to other areas of the foot, or spread to family members. In immunocompromised patients and diabetics, warts may proliferate extensively. For diabetic patients specifically, any foot lesion should be professionally evaluated rather than left untreated — the risk of misidentifying a more serious lesion or developing secondary complications is too high. Balance Foot & Ankle provides comprehensive evaluation for all foot skin conditions — (810) 206-1402.

How do you get rid of plantar warts?

Professional treatments: cryotherapy, salicylic acid, laser therapy, surgical excision. Most resolve within 2-4 treatments. OTC treatments have limited effectiveness on thick foot skin. Call 810-206-1402.

Are plantar warts contagious?

Yes, caused by HPV spread through contaminated surfaces. Wear shoes in public areas and avoid contact with visible warts.

What does a plantar wart look like?

Small, rough growths on foot sole with black dots. Painful when walking. Unlike calluses, warts interrupt skin lines and hurt when squeezed sideways.

Still have a question about coverage or cost? Book online and we will check your benefits before your visit: Book in Howell · Book in Bloomfield Township. Prefer to talk it through first? Call (810) 206-1402.