
Syringoma and Flat Wart: Differences
Disease description:
Recently, papules with elevations have appeared on my arm area. I suspect they may be caused by either syringoma or flat warts. What are the differences between syringoma and flat warts?

The differences between syringoma and flat warts are mainly reflected in the following aspects:
1. **Occurrence Location**: Syringomas typically occur on the skin surface or in the subepidermal layer, especially commonly found on the bilateral eyelids of females, particularly the lower eyelids, and occasionally may appear in the genital area. In contrast, flat warts frequently develop in areas subject to friction, such as the palms, soles, and knees. They can occur at any part of the face, such as the forehead and cheeks, but do not appear in the genital area.
2. **Morphological Characteristics**: Syringomas are round or oval in shape, with smooth surfaces, generally ranging from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter, and may protrude from the skin surface. Flat warts are round or irregular in shape, with clear borders and relatively rough surfaces. Sometimes, they may present with a wart-like body or stalk.
3. **Etiology**: Syringomas are caused by hyperplasia of sweat ducts in the skin and may be related to endocrine factors. In contrast, flat warts are caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) and are contagious.
4. **Symptoms and Spontaneous Regression**: Syringomas generally do not cause subjective symptoms and do not regress spontaneously. Flat warts may sometimes cause itching sensations, and following an acute inflammatory response, they may partially or completely regress spontaneously.