Skin tag on genitalia

Dr.,

About one week ago I noticed a skin growth on the shaft of my penis, located on the top about halfway between the base and the head.  It is extremely small (about the size of the tip of a ball point pen).  It looks very similar to a small skin tag that I have on my right armpit.  I pinched the skin tag located on my genitalia and it was extremely soft (like the skin tag on my armpit) and after pinching it several times the color changed from the same color as my skin to a dark red (i.e. it filled with blood).  Does this sound like a typical skin tag?  I am scared it may be a genital wart.  Please shed any light you can.  Thank you.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi

This may be a skin tag or fibroma. Although a wart may also be a possible diagnosis here, warts are more characteristic in appearance. They are far thicker and not as soft as skin tags. I would not suggest that you pick on these. This may be irritated and you may be disrupting blood vessels in the process leading to the discoloration.

Continue to observe the skin condition. If this increases in size or number, then have this assessed by a dermatologist for removal.

[Phoenix11795]

Thank you for the quick response.  Is it possible to have a wart develop years after a sexual encounter?  I am in a steady relationship and have only had sex with one partner for the past 2 years.  I am deployed to Iraq and want to make sure it's okay to have sex with my girlfriend when I get back home.  I would see a dermatologist, but seeing as I'm in the middle of the desert, the option doesn't exist.

To elaborate more on the condition, the growth is extremely soft and irregular in shape.  It didn't really hurt at all when I pinched it.  The only reaction was when it filled with blood after the pinch.  I looked at pictures of fibroma, which I'd never heard of before, and it looks very similar to that (just MUCH smaller).

I just don't want to worry anymore, especially being deployed.  Thanks for all your help!