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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Skin Tag or Wart?
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
Skin Tag or Wart?
by goeagles81, Apr 02, 2005 12:00AM
Hey Doc,
About a month ago I noticed what appeared to be a small growth on the foreskin of my penis. I have more foreskin than the average male as I was partially circumsized (Skin does not cover head just more excess skin than usual) and the growth seemed to be in the thickest part of the foreskin. It was hard to see from where it lied in the skin but I thought I should get it checked out. I went to a dermatologist and she said "It may or may not be a wart" but she said she was not convinced it was. She then froze it with liquid nitrogen and that night it was red and the skin around it seemed to swell. Well with the swelling it seemed a little larger to which I got nervous (although was still very small). I had a second opinion the next day and he said before even looking at the growth "Well what else could it be? it has to be a wart!" Which made me very upset, and then when he looked at it he said "Although it's a little hard to tell because the liquid nitrogen was applied, I believe it is a wart". I am not satisfied with these two answers because no one has given me a definitive response. It was the same color of my foreskin and could be stretched flat,Can warts be stretched flat? It was also soft and skin textured (not rough). To me it looks looked like a piece of excess skin or scar tissue that had formed to what appeared to be a soft somewhat fleshy little growth. Is there anything else it could possibly be? Such as a skin tag? I've been very upset since this occured and will not ever be able to bear this news to a future partner and am just hoping for the best. I have only been with one partner but she has had many before me, and its hard for me to deal with this. (Although she has never had warts or abnormal pap... but I realize that doesn't mean to much) Since the liquid nitrogen (About two weeks later) It scabbed a little but not much, and now seems a little smaller but is pinkish in color and is nonetheless still there. I just wanted to know basically if there is any possible way it could not be a wart and that the second dermatologist may have made a false analysis based on the fact that the liquid nitrogen may have 'altered' the appearance of the original growth in question. Any help you could provide would be very helpful. I appreciate it
Thanks
Sincerely,
Frank
About a month ago I noticed what appeared to be a small growth on the foreskin of my penis. I have more foreskin than the average male as I was partially circumsized (Skin does not cover head just more excess skin than usual) and the growth seemed to be in the thickest part of the foreskin. It was hard to see from where it lied in the skin but I thought I should get it checked out. I went to a dermatologist and she said "It may or may not be a wart" but she said she was not convinced it was. She then froze it with liquid nitrogen and that night it was red and the skin around it seemed to swell. Well with the swelling it seemed a little larger to which I got nervous (although was still very small). I had a second opinion the next day and he said before even looking at the growth "Well what else could it be? it has to be a wart!" Which made me very upset, and then when he looked at it he said "Although it's a little hard to tell because the liquid nitrogen was applied, I believe it is a wart". I am not satisfied with these two answers because no one has given me a definitive response. It was the same color of my foreskin and could be stretched flat,Can warts be stretched flat? It was also soft and skin textured (not rough). To me it looks looked like a piece of excess skin or scar tissue that had formed to what appeared to be a soft somewhat fleshy little growth. Is there anything else it could possibly be? Such as a skin tag? I've been very upset since this occured and will not ever be able to bear this news to a future partner and am just hoping for the best. I have only been with one partner but she has had many before me, and its hard for me to deal with this. (Although she has never had warts or abnormal pap... but I realize that doesn't mean to much) Since the liquid nitrogen (About two weeks later) It scabbed a little but not much, and now seems a little smaller but is pinkish in color and is nonetheless still there. I just wanted to know basically if there is any possible way it could not be a wart and that the second dermatologist may have made a false analysis based on the fact that the liquid nitrogen may have 'altered' the appearance of the original growth in question. Any help you could provide would be very helpful. I appreciate it
Thanks
Sincerely,
Frank
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Apr 03, 2005 12:00AM
, Apr 03, 2005 12:00AM
As I'm sure you realize, I can't tell you for sure. I will say that warts tend to be on the shaft, not the foreskin, and that generally warts cannot be stretched flat. Perhaps the dermatologists who saw and treated you were not aware of how treating it "just to be sure" would make you so anxious. My advice is this: even assuming it was a wart, you've taken care of it. There's nothing more to do. If it comes back, ask a dermatologist to biopsy it. I don't biopsy warts when I'm sure of what they are, of course, but perhaps in your case a piece of tissue will reassure you in a way that nothing else can. Meantime, I don't think you need to necessarily bring up the whole issue with a prospective partner, because the whole matter is so questionable. As to the second doctor's statement, that "It has to be a wart," I would respectfully disagree.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Member Comments (2)
by porter3, May 12, 2005 12:00AM
i noticed something on the shaft of my penis, and although not irritable it bothers me that it is there. it is brown in color and is attached to the skin. i have no idea as to what it is and dont know what to do about it. any idea as to what it could be because i want to get it taken care of asap. thanks.
