What Is A Skin Tag?

Skin tags are growths of benign tissue that hang from your skin. They are made of collagen with a bit of skin surrounding them. They are found in most adults and usually develop where the skin rubs against itself, like armpits, groin, thighs, neck, underbreasts, or eyelids.

Is A Skin Tag Harmful?

No, a skin tag is not harmful in medical terms. You do not need to remove it if it does not bother you. However, many choose to do so because they are unpleasing to look at. In some people, if the tag becomes too big, it tugs on the skin and causes discomfort. Most importantly, if you see the shape, size, texture, or color of the skin tag changing, seek immediate medical attention because it can be a symptom of a grave underlying condition.

What Causes Skin Tags?

The primary cause of skin tags is friction on the skin. There is some genetic component to it too. People of advanced age and people suffering from obesity and diabetes are also more likely to develop skin tags. Sometimes, people gain weight during pregnancy and develop skin tags as well.

Can You Remove A Skin Tag At Home?

Some people claim that they have removed skin tags at home using home remedies made of garlic, apple cider vinegar, bananas, etc. However, there is no conclusive study regarding the same. There are some creams available commercially that can remove skin tags but they have side-effects like scarring, burning, etc. Some people succumb to scraping out or clipping off the skin tag using sharp household objects. This dangerous practice can lead to bleeding, infection, and scarring. In short, there is no doctor-approved way to remove skin tags at home.

How Are Skin Tags Treated By A Dermatologist?

Depending on the nature of the skin tag, the dermatologist may choose one of the following procedures:

• Cryotherapy: In this procedure, liquid nitrogen is used to freeze the skin tag, making it fall off. It is a quick and relatively painless way to remove medium-sized skin tags.
• Electrocautery: Electrocautery uses high-frequency electric current to burn the base of the skin tag, causing it to fall out. The heat from the procedure also cauterizes the skin and prevents bleeding. Hence, this procedure is ideal for larger skin tags.
• Scraping: In this procedure, the doctor scapes or cuts out the excess tissue using a medical razor or scalpel. This procedure is performed under local anesthesia to minimize discomfort.
• Ligation: This is an old technique where a doctor ties the base of the skin tag with a surgical thread. This blocks blood flow to the skin tag and eventually, it falls off. If all goes well, this procedure is painless. However, this process takes time and does not always proceed as expected. So, doctors advise surer procedures.

Whatever procedure you opt for, remember to take good care of your skin post-treatment. Stay away from the sun and follow the prescription to the T. Skin tag treatments are permanent procedures. However, new skin tags may develop on your body with time and you will again need to consult your dermatologist if you wish to remove them.