Skin Tags and Seborrheic Keratoses

Nuisances You don’t have to put up with. As time goes on, we all acquire tiny bits of extra skin called skin tags. These can range in size from 1-10 mm, and are flesh colored or brown.

Skin tags can be found on any part of the body, but are most common on the eyelids and neck, and in the armpits and groin, and under the breasts.  While skin tags are benign they can be annoying if they become irritating or rub on sporting equipment, and skin tags can interfere with shaving and can detract from one’s appearance and self-image.

Fortunately, we don’t have to put up with skin tags. These little annoyances can be easily removed in an office visit with little or no discomfort. Skin tags can almost always be removed without needing stitches, and the treated areas usually have healed completely in a week or two.

The cost of removing skin tags is quite reasonable - ranging from about $80 for a few tiny ones to about $200 for a larger number scattered over several areas.

Seborrheic keratoses are firm flat or raised, sometimes scaly or crusty flesh-colored, brown or black “barnacles” which accumulate (usually on the face and trunk) as time goes on. Some people start to develop seborrheic keratoses in their thirties, and most people have at least a few by the time they are sixty. To look at pictures of different types of moles, click on www.SkinCancerGuide.ca .

Seborrheic keratoses are usually just a nuisance, but - like skin tags — they can rub on clothing and equipment, and their appearance can sometimes be so distressing that they interfere with choice of clothing, sports like swimming, and intimacy.  Because seborrheic keratoses grow above the skin (but not down into the skin) they can be easily scraped off, and the treated areas heal up nicely within a few weeks. Sometimes the healed area remains pink for a few months after the seborrheic keratosis is removed.

The cost of removing seborrheic keratoses is similar to that for removal of skin tags: about $80 for one or two, with the cost gradually increasing depending on the number and size of seborrheic keratoses to be removed.

The cost of removing skin tags and seborrheic keratoses is a tax-deductible medical expense, just like things like dental bills.  So, if you are annoyed by skin tags or seborrheic keratoses you can be confident that it is simple and inexpensive to rid yourself of these nuisances.

By Kevin C. Smith MD FACP FRCPC

Genital Warts Detection

Since genital warts are not always visible, it is necessary that sexually active individuals undergo physical examinations from time to time.
Genital warts are skin bumps or skin growths, which can be raised or flat on the skin. These warts are caused by HPV viruses or human
papillomavirus.genital warts treatment Many people are concerned about genital warts but are not sure how to cure them.

The reason why these warts are not visible, nor are detectable, is that there are no symptoms for it.  They don’t cause skin itching or pain. They are almost the color of flesh, not to mention the fact that they are small in size and are found at the genital areas. It takes a physician to check with a magnifying glass to check if what a patient has are mere skin growths or genital warts.

It is important because when warts are left untreated, it can lead to cervical cancer for women and cancer of the penis for men.

Genital Warts…

* They can begin to retreat back into the skin until they vanish!

* They can begin to get mushy and dissolve away until there is no trace left

* They can simply dry up and flake off like a scab!

Everyone is in shock when they first discover their genital warts! The good news is that warts are very treatable. The most important thing with genital wart symptoms is to treat them as soon as you notice them. Seeking treatment should be your number 1 priority! Get rid of the embarassement! They may eventually go away on their own, but not before growing and spreading and becoming itchy and possibly bleeding.

Below is a home genital treatment guide based on all of the information we have collected and reports that GenitalWartsFAQ.com has online.

This is not medical advice, this is not to replace the treatments or directions of your doctor. This is something you can think about, maybe it’s midnight and your doctor isn’t open. We still do recommend that if you haven’t seen a doctor that you do so. We’ll start here.

What type of doctor should I see for Genital Wart / HPV treatment?
Depending on what area you’re in, the cheapest solution is to visit a clinic specializing in sexual transmittable diseases (STDs). Planned Parenthood is one such clinic.

Home Treatments that have in many cases reduce the spread or killed the genital warts
Before we cover the home treatments, we are going to make these recommendations that should go with any treatment that you choose.

* Quit Smoking
The carbon monoxide in smoke robs our body of oxygen, which is the most important part of the immune system. White Blood cells attack viruses and they require oxygen. Additionally, there are many other carcinogens and poisons in smoke that reduce the bodies ability to focus on it’s job – healing and preventing viruses and infections.

* Switch to cotton underwear
Genital warts thrive in dark and moist areas. Polyester and other materials do not breathe as well as cotton. Cotton will help prevent moisture from accumulating and keep the area more dry, which will keep the genital warts out of their ideal conditions.

* Get rest
Rest is important for the immune system. If you do not get rest, your body does not have the energy to perform all of it’s functions correctly.
“Sleep deprivation weakens the immune system leaving us more susceptible to other diseases and disorders like diabetes, cancer and even the common cold” – About.com Sleep Disorders

* Drink plenty of water
Sodas, particularly Diet sodas act as diuretics which remove more water from our body than they put in. We are 2/3 water, and water is how our body flushes toxins.

* Take a multi-vitamin
Most people are not meeting RDA requirements for vitamins. As well all know, vitamins are important to the function of all aspects of the body.

Vitamins to make sure you’re getting:

1. Vitamin C
“Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is required for at least three hundred metabolic functions in the body, including tissue growth and repair, adrenal gland function, and healthy gums. It also aids in the production of anti-stress hormones and interferon, an important immune system protein, and is needed for the metabolism of folic acid, tyrosine, and phenylalanine. Studies have shown that taking vitamin C can reduce symptoms of asthma. It protects against the harmful effects of pollution, helps to prevent cancer, protects against infection, and enhances immunity. Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron. It can combine with toxic substances, such as certain heavy metals, and render them harmless so that they can be eliminated from the body.” -

Prescription for Nutritional Healing

2. Zinc
“The immune system is adversely affected by even moderate degrees of zinc deficiency. Severe zinc deficiency depresses immune function. Zinc is required for the development and activation of T-lymphocytes, a kind of white blood cell that helps fight infection (2, 28). When zinc supplements are given to individuals with low zinc levels, the numbers of T-cell lymphocytes circulating in the blood increase and the ability of lymphocytes to fight infection improves. Studies show that poor, malnourished children in India, Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia experience shorter courses of infectious diarrhea after taking zinc supplements (29). Amounts of zinc provided in these studies ranged from 4 mg a day up to 40 mg per day and were provided in a variety of forms (zinc acetate, zinc gluconate, or zinc sulfate) (29). Zinc supplements are often given to help heal skin ulcers or bed sores (30), but they do not increase rates of wound healing when zinc levels are normal.” – National Institute of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements

Apple Cider Vinegar
There are no clinical studies to support Apple Cider Vinegar(ACV) as a genital wart treatment, however many people have tried it including members of GenitalWartsFAQ.com with success.

ACV can be purchased from you local drug or grocery store. To apply ACV, dip the tip of a cotton swap into the ACV then apply it to the wart and hold for up to 15 minutes. Repeat this process 3 times daily.

In one particular confirmed GenitalWartsFAQ.com member case, this killed several of the warts, and stopped the spreading allowing the smaller warts to also be treated without any new growth.

Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid has shown to be an effective treatment for warts. Salycylic acid is available at drug and grocery stores – it is the active ingredient in the swabs used for acne. Use this product as described and intended – the package does not state that it is for treatment of genital warts.
40% Salicylic Acid
Dr. Scholl’s Soft Salicylic Acid Corn Remover Pads - $2.85 to $5.39

17% Salicylic Acid
Wart-Off Maxiumum Strength - $7.49 - $8.80

2% Salicylic Acid
Nuetrogena Acne Rapid Clear Daily Pads - $8.49 - $12.34

Stridex Triple Action Acne Pads -  $4.29 - $6.49

Cryotherapy
This treatment is only available at a doctors office, however if you have warts in areas other than the genitals these are good solutions. These products available at your grocery store. These usually include a small can with an applicator tip. When the applicator tip is put on, and the bottom is pressed against the skin – the wart is frozen and dies.

Compound W Freeze Off Wart                  $23.00 - $27.00
Dr. Scholls Dual Action Freeze Away      $17.35 - $21.59
Wartner Wart Removal System                $23.09 - $24.19

Message from GenitalWartsFAQ.com
We cannot stress the importance enough of visiting a dermatologist or health clinic as soon as you notice symptoms. This is the quickest way to get rid of symptoms and to be evaluated by the doctor. If circumstances prevent this, then we encourage you to use this guide to help find a possible solution for your needs. Always use commercial products as directed. None of this replaces your doctors opinion about treatment.

For images on genital warts, click on this link:  http://cancer.about.com/od/hpv/a/HPVpictures.htm