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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
warts or something else?
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.
warts or something else?
by zzzzzz, Oct 11, 2004 12:00AM
I have a few skin growths that I'm concerned about. First, two things that a family doctor I recently went to thought were warts. One is where my waist meets the top of my left leg around six inches above and to the left of my penis. It formed quickly several months ago and since then has been about 1/4 inch in diameter and reddish-brown, darker than my skin. The other is in my groin area about an inch to the right and above my penis. It was skin colored and felt like a flap of skin that I could've twisted off. The doctor burned both with liquid nitrogen about five days ago and so far they have reacted differently. The one on my waist turned very dark (almost black) by the next day. It has gotten smaller over the past few days and looks dead and burnt. The one in my groin seemed to be unaffected for three days, and there was no color change except for redness in the surrounding skin area. Then the skin flap fell off and now there is a red spot where it once was, and is slightly tender.
Also, I have several very small bumps (5-6) on my abdomen. They are from 1-2 millimeters in diameter and are skin colored, occasionally reddish. They don't seem to be changing over the last few weeks. The doctor was not sure if they could also be warts or molluscum. They don't appear to have a white core, and did not change color with vinegar. They are in between my belly button and the top of my pubic hair.
I have nothing on my penis, anus or scrotum. The doctor thought that I have genital warts, but everything I have read says that they should appear on the penis, scrotum or anus. I'm quite scared and disgusted. Once burned off, will they be contageous? Thank you for any advice and suggestions as to what these things are.
Also, I have several very small bumps (5-6) on my abdomen. They are from 1-2 millimeters in diameter and are skin colored, occasionally reddish. They don't seem to be changing over the last few weeks. The doctor was not sure if they could also be warts or molluscum. They don't appear to have a white core, and did not change color with vinegar. They are in between my belly button and the top of my pubic hair.
I have nothing on my penis, anus or scrotum. The doctor thought that I have genital warts, but everything I have read says that they should appear on the penis, scrotum or anus. I'm quite scared and disgusted. Once burned off, will they be contageous? Thank you for any advice and suggestions as to what these things are.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Oct 11, 2004 12:00AM
, Oct 11, 2004 12:00AM
In general, the groin is where one gets skin tags rather than warts, but there are exceptions. The "different reaction" to freezing is not meaningful--different spots blister to different extents. The vinegar test is not reliable, and is in any case not used for molluscum.
I doubt that you have warts and am skeptical that you had them. I'd have a skin specialist look at the abdominal bumps, which may well just be blocked follicles.
Now that the spots that were frozen, I'd stop thinking about them. There is n o way to be 100% sure they aren't contagious, but the odds are very good that they aren't and weren't.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
I doubt that you have warts and am skeptical that you had them. I'd have a skin specialist look at the abdominal bumps, which may well just be blocked follicles.
Now that the spots that were frozen, I'd stop thinking about them. There is n o way to be 100% sure they aren't contagious, but the odds are very good that they aren't and weren't.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
