Mole/ Genital and Vaginal Warts/ Skin-Tag Removal

There are various skin conditions that cause formation of spots on the skin. These spots can be in the form of moles, warts or skin tags. None of these issues pose any health risks, however, they look unappealing on the skin. The condition for all three skin problems can appear quite similar and be confusing to figure out. So, before we move on to the removal techniques, let’s look at each in detail.

What is a Mole?

Moles are cell growths that can appear anywhere on the skin — face, arms, legs, stomach, etc. They occur when skin cells grow in clusters rather than spreading evenly. These pigmented cells are usually black or brown in color. The growth of moles is expected in the first 25 years of life, mostly during childhood.

Some moles can change in color, size, and texture over time. Exposure to sun can also stimulate their growth in some people. Therefore, it is advisable to limit sun exposure and use sunscreen. Moles can become serious if they turn cancerous — it’s better to remove them before they become dangerous.

What is a Wart?

Wart is a viral disorder caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), which makes it contagious. A wart is a hard lump in the skin that can appear reddish-brown on the outside. It is thick, hard, and flat on the top but goes deeper into the skin. The most common type of wart is harmless. However, warts can spread easily from one part of the body to another and commonly appear on hands, knees, or feet.

Since warts are caused by a virus, it’s important to remove them before they spread. Warts can be eliminated by killing the virus-infected skin cells. The treatment is painless if performed by a trained dermatologist.

What is a Skin Tag?

A skin tag is a small ball of skin hanging on the skin surface. It can appear anywhere such as eyelids, neck, underarms, groin, and upper chest — more commonly in friction areas like underarms. It can cause irritation and sometimes bleed. Skin tags usually grow in adults, especially those with diabetes or obesity. The good news is that they can be easily removed by a dermatologist.

Treatment

If you are not comfortable with your mole, wart, or skin tag — don’t stress. Various medical procedures can help remove them. Below are the different treatment options available.

Treatment for Mole Removal

Moles can be removed using the following procedures:

1. Excision: The mole area is cut out using surgical scissors under local anesthesia. Deep moles may require a few stitches, which can leave a temporary scar.

2. Shave: Suitable for small moles. The mole is shaved with a scalpel after numbing the skin. It usually leaves a light pink mark that heals over time.

3. Freezing: Liquid nitrogen is used to freeze and remove small, non-cancerous moles. Some mild blisters may appear temporarily.

4. Laser Treatment: Laser energy breaks down the mole’s skin cells. Ideal for facial or ear moles. It can also remove multiple moles at once without cutting.

Treatment for Wart Removal

Warts can be treated with the following methods:

1. Cryotherapy: Liquid nitrogen freezes the wart. A blister forms, and within one or two weeks the wart turns into dead skin and falls off.

2. Cantharidin: A blister beetle extract applied to the wart and covered with a bandage. It lifts the wart from the skin.

3. Medication: The wart is injected with bleomycin to kill the virus, and an immunotherapy cream (imiquimod) helps the immune system fight it.

4. Salicylic Acid: Used in creams to dissolve wart tissue over time.

5. Surgery: Minor surgery removes the wart by cutting or deep freezing using an electric needle.

6. Laser Surgery: Laser heat destroys the wart tissue.

Treatment for Skin Tag Removal

Skin tags are harmless but can be removed with these treatments:

1. Cryotherapy: Freezing with liquid nitrogen.

2. Surgery: Surgical scissors are used to cut off the tag.

3. Electrosurgery: High-frequency electric current destroys the skin tag.

4. Laser: CO₂ laser burns the base of the tag. It’s fast, painless, and leaves no scar.