Skin tags are skin bits extending over the top of the body. They’re harmless and much more of an aesthetic problem than anything else; however, knowing what they are and not is the best way to feel secure. Although the cause of skin tags isn’t known, the treatment of skin tags is straightforward, and they can be easily removed.
How to Identify a Skin Tag: What They Look Like
They can range from as tiny as a millimeter, and as big as 1 centimeter and sometimes even more significant, as per Rebecca Baxt, MD, a dermatologist in Paramus, New Jersey. Skin tags, also known as Acrochordons, are usually flesh-colored, but some might be darker to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD). They may be found at the skin surface face’s surface or appear to emerge from a thin layer of skin that hangs off the body.
They’re common in the neck, beneath the arms, inside the groin, and also on the eyelids, according to Dr. Baxt. This is because they tend to expand in areas of the body that have folded. However, they may be found elsewhere as well. After they’ve formed, they generally can’t get any larger. There may be only one or two, or you could have a lot, and they could be located in isolated areas or as part of groups with several skin tags. They’re usually not noticeable and can be diagnosed through visually examining. But, as it is challenging to identify skin tags on your own and other skin tags, it is essential to visit an experienced dermatologist if you notice anything expanding, the skin is itchy or bleeding, or a flaky hue on your skin, according to Baxt.
A Common Condition: Skin Tag Causes and Risk Factors
Skin tags are frequent. They are estimated to be around half of all adults are wearing at minimum one title on their skin, according to the AOCD. Skin tags are quite common when people get older, as per the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
It is unclear the causes of skin tags. However, they’re more prevalent when pregnant and weight increases, according to Baxt. According to her, there is no method to stop skin tags other than to maintain a regular weight. They also are more prevalent for people who have diabetes or have a family history of skin tags, as per the AOCD. One theory suggests that the skin’s friction against the skin, which is a side result of being overweight, can cause skin tags in a few people. This could explain why skin tags tend to increase in body folds by the AOCD.
In rare instances, skin tags can be a sign of a needless basal cell cancer syndrome (NBCCS), which is a complicated genetic disorder that causes people to be more likely to develop a particular type of skin cancer called basal cell cancer, as per the National Organization for Rare Disorders. According to an investigation, a baseline cell carcinoma resembling skin tags in children could be an indicator for NBCCS.
Skin Tag Treatment Options: Simple Surgical Procedures
As per the AAFP, some skin tags will fall off independently as they become pulled and irritated. The best way to rid yourself of the skin tag is to see an expert dermatologist take them off using a minor operation, according to Baxt.
Based on the location of your skin tags placed, you should not select any skin tag treatment – away from sight could cause a person to lose their mind. You may, however, need to consider treatments for your skin tags for aesthetic reasons. For instance, you have one on your eyelid that hinders your appearance. Another reason to get the skin tag removed is that they are located in an area that is subject to lots of friction or even from wearing jewelry or clothes, which can cause inflammation and bleeding.
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Treatment options include cryosurgery, which removes skin tags using freezing the skin or using electrocautery to remove the labels on the skin or remove the tissue using heat. If the labels on your skin hang in the air and hanging, cutting them off using surgical scissors is an alternative. These straightforward surgical procedures create little discomfort, a short recovery time, and virtually no scarring, according to Baxt. Sometimes, skin tags may grow back, and new ones could form.
While they’re not a significant risk, skin tags can be unwelcome or cause cosmetic problems. It’s OK to avoid these tags. A word of caution: With any changes on the surface of your body, when you notice that the appearance of your skin tag is changing, you should ask your dermatologist or physician to review the area.