Moles and skin tags are common growths that are visible on the skin. You may not even be aware of their presence unless they are in a visible or physically noticeable area. They do not cause pain or discomfort, and they are non-contagious. There are many similarities between skin tags and moles, so you may be slightly confused between the two. But they also have some key differences, starting with their appearance. Read on to know the similarities and differences between skin tags and moles.<\/p>\n
What is a skin tag?<\/h2>\n
A skin tag<\/a>, also known as acrochordons, is an extra outpouching of skin with a small tiny vessel in the core of it. It is nothing but skin protruding out of the skin attached with a stalk. You often see them in the body folds like neck folds, underarms, underneath the breasts, and occasionally on the abdomen, says dermatologist Dr Geetika Srivastava<\/a>.<\/p>\n Many of us call the \u201cmole\u201d a beauty spot. It is actually an aggregation of melanocytes or the melanin forming cells. A mole<\/a>, also known as naevi, are mostly superficial or epidermal mole. A mole is often harmless, can present at birth as a congenital melanocytic naevus or can develop during adulthood and teenage years.<\/p>\n Here are some of the similarities between the two:<\/p>\n Moles and skin tags are generally asymptomatic, meaning they do not cause pain, or discomfort. This asymptomatic characteristic means that, in many cases, no medical intervention is required unless for cosmetic reasons.<\/p>\n Also Read<\/span><\/p>\n Neither moles nor skin tags are caused by infections, and they do not harbor infectious agents. So, these skin growths cannot be spread from one person to another, which alleviates concerns about contagion or spreading through physical contact.<\/p>\n In addition to being non-infectious, moles and skin tags are also non-contagious. They do not spread from person to person, and their appearance is generally linked to genetic factors, skin friction, or other non-communicable causes, says the expert.<\/p>\n When mole removal<\/a> is needed, or you want to get rid of skin tags, both can be effectively treated with similar medical procedures. Cauterisation, cryosurgery, and excision are common methods used to remove these growths \u2013<\/p>\n These procedures are generally quick, and minimally invasive, says Dr Srivastava.<\/p>\n Moles and tags differ in various aspects.<\/p>\n Select Topics of your interest and let us customize your feed.<\/p>\n PERSONALISE NOW<\/a><\/div>\n Skin tags are sessile or pedunculated lesions, which means they are either with a stalk or not. Moles are always sessile.<\/p>\n Skin tags are usually 1 to 5 mm large, and rarely can be larger. Skin tags often have irregular surface, are protruded lesions, globoid or oval in shape. Moles are often round, and flat topped lesions.<\/p>\n Skin tags are often seen in the parts of body which are prone to friction, like neck folds, underarms, underneath the breasts, and eyelids. Moles can occur on any parts of the body, including scalp, armpit, eyelids, cornea and even under the nail bed.<\/p>\n Overweight<\/a> people, pregnant women, diabetics and those with metabolic syndrome<\/a> are more prone to skin tags. This may be because of increased friction in the areas where your skin rubs together. Being overweight, pregnant or having diabetes may also lead to metabolic changes that trigger the production of excess skin cells. Moles, on the other hand, can occur in everyone, says the expert.<\/p>\n Skin tags slowly increase in size with advancing age and increasing weight. While skin tags are non-cancerous and pose no risk of turning into skin cancer, moles require closer scrutiny due to their potential to become malignant, says the expert.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2022\/10\/07142043\/skin-tags-627x354.jpg\" "\\"A")
<\/source><\/picture><\/div>What is a mole?<\/h2>\n
What are the similarities between mole and skin tags?<\/h2>\n
1. Mostly asymptomatic<\/h3>\n
![\"Best](\"https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2024\/05\/29165941\/best-tan-removal-face-wash-300x169.jpg\" "\\"Best")
<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n2. Non-infectious<\/h3>\n
3. Non-contagious<\/h3>\n
4. Similar treatments<\/h3>\n
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What are the differences between skin tags and mole?<\/h2>\n
1. Appearance<\/h3>\n
2. Size<\/h3>\n
Moles can range from few millimeters to larger centimeters, especially the congenital melanocytic naevus that can involve the entire lower body, hence the name \u201cbathing trunk naevus\u201d.<\/p>\n3. Shape<\/h3>\n
4. Distribution<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2022\/06\/15184948\/moles-627x354.jpg\" "\\"A")
<\/source><\/picture><\/div>5. Predisposition<\/h3>\n
6. Course<\/h3>\n
A black epidermal, flat topped mole can become dermal, skin coloured, larger and deep with time. Sometimes moles can spontaneously disappear without any intervention.<\/p>\nCan skin tags or mole be cancerous?<\/h2>\n