newsprompt.coHOW TO REMOVE SKIN TAGS
Skin tags are small, soft pieces of skin that stick out on a thin stem. They most often appear on the neck, armpits, upper trunk, and body folds. The cause of skin tags is not known. They are harmless.
Skin tags are common, acquired benign skin growths that resemble a small, soft balloon suspended on a slender stalk. Skin tags are harmless growths that can vary in number from one to hundreds. Males and females are equally prone to developing skin tags. Obesity seems to be associated with skin tag development. Although some skin tags may fall off spontaneously, most persist once formed. The name for skin tag is acrochordon. Some people call them “skin tabs.”
Early on, skin tags may be as small as a flattened pinhead-sized bump. While most tags typically are small (2 mm-5 mm in diameter) at approximately one-third to one-half the size of a pencil eraser, some skin tags may become as large as a big grape (1 cm in diameter) or a fig (5 cm in diameter).
Skin tag facts
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A skin tag is a small, soft, benign skin growth, often on a stalk.
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Skin tags are probably the single most common bump on adult skin.
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Skin tags are harmless but can be annoying.
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Skin tags tend to occur on the eyelids, neck, armpits, groin folds, and under breasts.
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A person may have anywhere from one to hundreds of skin tags.
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Almost everyone will develop a skin tag at some point in their lives.
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Middle-aged, obese adults are most prone to skin tags.
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Obesity is associated with skin tags.
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Getting rid of a skin tag does not cause more to grow.
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Destructive treatments include freezing, strangulation with a ligature, snipping, and burning.
Skin tags can occur almost anywhere on the body covered by skin. However, the two most common areas for skin tags are the neck and armpits. Other common body areas for the development of skin tags include the eyelids, upper chest (particularly under the female breasts), buttock folds, and groin folds. Tags are typically thought to occur where skin rubs against itself or clothing. Babies who are plump may also develop skin tags in areas where skin rubs against skin, like the sides of the neck. Younger children may develop tags at the upper eyelid areas, often in areas where they may rub their eyes. Older children and preteens may develop tags in the underarm area from friction and repetitive irritation from sports.
Skin tags typically occur in the following characteristic locations:
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Base of the neck
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Underarms
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Eyelids
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Groin folds
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Buttock folds
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Under the breasts
Signs and Symptoms
Except for the cosmetic appearance, skin tags generally cause no physical pain or discomfort. These tiny skin growths generally cause symptoms when they are repeatedly irritated (for example, by the collar or in the groin). Skin tag removal for cosmetic reasons is perhaps the most common reason they are removed. The following symptoms and signs may necessitate skin tag removal:
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it has become irritated and red from bleeding (hemorrhage) or black from twisting, and
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death of the skin tissue (necrosis).
Sometimes, they may become snagged by clothing, jewelry, pets, or seat belts, causing pain or discomfort. Overall, these are very benign growths that have no carcinoma (malignant) potential.
Occasionally, a tag may spontaneously fall off without any pain or discomfort. This may occur after the tag has twisted on itself at the stalk base, interrupting the blood flow to the tag.
Treatment
Your physician may remove a skin tag in any of these ways:
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Cutting it off. Skin tags may be snipped off with a scalpel or scissors. Some moles can be “shaved” off flush with the skin. Other moles may have cells that go underneath the skin, so your physician might make a deeper cut to remove the entire mole and prevent it from growing back. This cut may require stitches.
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Freezing it with liquid nitrogen. Your physician will swab or spray a small amount of super-cold liquid nitrogen on the mole or skin tag. You might have a small blister where the mole or skin tag was, but it will heal on its own.
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Burning it off. An electric current passes through a wire that becomes hot and is used to burn off the upper layers of the skin. You may need more than one treatment to remove a mole. Skin tags are removed by burning through the narrow stem that attaches them to the skin. The heat helps prevent bleeding.
The procedure may hurt a little, but your physician will numb the area with an anesthetic before he or she begins. If the procedure causes any bleeding, your physician may apply an ointment that helps stop the bleeding. Then he or she will put a bandage on it. These procedures usually leave no scars or marks.
Prognosis
The long-term results after destruction of the individual skin tag are excellent. However, it should be understood that this does not prevent the development of new skin tags.
