WHAT is a SKIN TAG?

Skin tags are soft, small or large, 1mm - 5mm, skin colored or somewhat darker skin growths. They are commonly found in areas where the skin forms a crease. Especially on the eyelids, neck, groin, under women breasts and most commonly under the armpits.

These very common abnormalities are harmless, benign, (non-cancerous) skin polyps that are also called Acrochordon, Cutaneous Papilloma or Fibro Epithelial Polyps. They can be unattractive and could cause one to feel self conscious if they are on the face or neck area. A skin tag is diagnosed based on its appearance. They may be smooth or irregular in appearance.

WHAT CAUSE SKIN TAGS?

The cause of skin tags is unknown. However it is thought to be due to a hormone increase particularly during the stage of pregnancy. Skin tags are also common in individuals who are obese and in people with diabetes. Heredity may also be a contributing factor.The incidence of skin tags tend to increase with age.

TREATMENT

Usually skin tags should need no treatment. However there are times when based on their location they may become irritated by clothing and/or jewelry and may bleed and become painful and annoying. In those instances treatment may be sought from your primary physician or dermatologist. Another occasion to seek treatment for a skin tag is if you are not sure it is a skin tag and wants your doctor's opinion for a diagnosis.

Your doctor will do any of the following treatment in his/her office for an irritated, painful or annoying skin tag.

Snipping the skin tag with a scissors.

Excising the skin tag with a scalpel.

Using cryosurgery treatment, which is freezing the skin tag with liquid nitrogen.

Electro-desiccation, in which a small instrument is used which administers a small amount of electrical current to remove the skin tag.

HOME REMEDIES

One of the most popular home remedy for removing a skin tag is tying off the base of the skin tag with dental floss and allowing several days for it to fall off.

I would suggest you contact your physician to diagnose and remove the skin tag if removal is necessary. This is a quick and easy procedure that can be done in the doctor's office in a safe way. This will prevent infection or excess bleeding and also the chances of trying to remove a skin tag that turns out not to be a skin tag.

As the saying goes "prevention is better than a cure."