I am 27 year old male and had 9 different sex partners. I was vaccinated about 2 years ago for some hpv. I recently notice a flesh colored bump on the edge of where my scrotum meets my leg. It feels hard and is not able to be squeezed. I am wondering if you think this is a skin tag or a genital wart and is that where and how warts usually form. I am also wondering if I should get it burned off or just freeze it myself. If I do freeze it myself are there any risks I should know about. Thank you.

I'm sure you understand we can't diagnose anything; that's not the forum's purpose. But I doubt the skin bump you've noticed is a genital wart. The location is atypical, with most warts on more directly exposed sites, like the penis itself. Second, single warts are uncommon; usually at least a few appear simultaneously. And having been vaccinated, you are immune to new infections with the 9 HPV types covered by the vaccine, including the two types that cause 90% of genital warts. It doesn't sound like a skin tag either:  skin tags are not hard bumps, but soft and floppy. Molluscum contagiosum might be a possibility:  you can google it for more info, but it's very minor viral infection, most common in young children but sometimes causing sexually transmitted genital area lesions in younger sexually active persons. However, usually there is more than one lesion. (Other signs of MC are often shiny pink color and a central dimple. You can find photos online.) MC is a minor problem with no important complications, and usually easily treated -- but recurrent crops of lesions sometimes occur over a few weeks. This is only a guess:  it could be any of several other non-STD skin conditions.

You ought to be directly examined by a provider with good knowledge of STDs and genital skin problems, like a public health STD clinic or similar clinic, like Planned Parenthood; or a dermatologist or urologist. That said, if you are able to freeze it yourself (do you somehow have access to a cryoprobe or liquid nitrogen?), it might clear up (whatever the cause) and you'd be done with the problem -- assuming no other similar lesions show up. Your other option, to "get it burned off", seems the same as my primary advice:  you would have to see a doctor or clinic, and any responsible health care provider would assess the cause and best treatment, without simply following your request to burn it.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD