Skin tags are benign skin growths on the surface of the body, often very small in size and usually flesh-colored in appearance. Skin tags usually do not cause any pain but can become irritated by clothing rubbing on them or if they are pulled on.
You have skin tags, and you want to know why. They seem to appear out of nowhere. While you may be reassured to know that these skin growths are benign in nature, it’s also daunting to know they won’t go away on their own. Why do you have skin tags, and how do you get rid of them? Use this guide to assist you, and make an appointment with your dermatologist for treatment.
Where Do You Find Skin Tags?
Skin tags can be found nearly anywhere on the body (including the eyelid), but most commonly you’ll find these unsightly pieces of skin on your neck or armpit areas. Most skin tags are only 2 to 5 millimeters in size, but some pieces of skin can extend further away from the body and be as large as 5 centimeters, or a big grape.
You may not notice a skin tag until you accidentally brush against it or cut a skin tag with a razor since they typically show no symptoms.
What Causes Skin Tags?
Skin tags have no clear cause, although common irritation to the skin is a possible reason for these small bits of extended flesh to form. Your neck and armpits, for example, receive ample movement throughout the day, which could lead to the occurrence of a skin tag.
Skin tags are known to form in areas where the skin folds, such as the eyelid or near the groin, and people who are overweight may develop skin tags more frequently than healthy-weight individuals. If you manage to scratch a skin tag off, which can be painful and lead to infection, you may notice the same bit of skin reappearing later.
How Do You Remove Skin Tags?
Skin tags are harmless and aren’t medically necessary to remove. However, if your skin tags are very noticeable and embarrass you, or if they are uncomfortable and make personal hygiene difficult, then see your dermatologist. Your dermatologist will usually do one of two procedures to remove your skin growths.
Sterile Removal
After applying a local anesthetic on the area where your skin tags are, your dermatologist will use medical scissors to gently remove the tag at its base. The remaining scab will heal on its own and will not likely return to the same location.
Freezing
Using a chemical solution, your dermatologist will freeze off your larger skin tags (similar to the way a wart is removed). Scarring from this procedure is minimal, especially if the amount of skin removed is very small.
Never attempt to remove a skin tag on your own: while a smaller piece of excess flesh can be accidentally scraped away by a razor or fingernail and may cause very little pain or bleeding as a result, you still put your body at risk of infection or noticeable scarring. Furthermore, if you don’t remove all of the skin tag, the flesh may grow back.
In some cases, skin tags grow in small clusters, making them even more noticeable. Your dermatologist will examine your skin to see what type of removal is best for the undesired flesh extending from your body.
See our specialized dermatologists for many of your skin care needs, including the treatment of skin tags, warts, and rashes. Call Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Specialists to make an appointment with our skilled representatives today.
