Skin tags (or acrochordons) are a very common and benign skin growth. They have a unique shape and are attached to the skin by a tiny, narrow stalk called a peduncle. They are made of loose collagen fibers and blood vessels surrounded by skin. Skin tags are usually the same color as the rest of your skin, or just slightly darker. They are about 2-5 millimeters in size, but can sometimes grow to half an inch.
What Causes Skin Tags
Anyone can develop skin tags, but they appear more often in patients over the age of 50. Both men and women can develop skin tags. Acrochordons tend to grow on any part of the body but are most commonly found in areas where skin folds, including:
- neck
- eyelids
- under arms
- under breasts
- groin area
- back
It is thought that they are related to chronic friction, which is why they are more common in overweight persons. Pregnant women are more susceptible to developing skin tags as a result of changes in their hormone levels. Type 2 diabetes and possibly a genetic component could also play a part. According to a 2008 study, low-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) could be a potential factor in the development of skin tags. At the end of the day, skin tags are not contagious.
How to Get Rid of Skin Tags Effectively
Skin tags usually don’t cause pain or discomfort. Even though they are extremely common and harmless in most cases, you may want to consider getting them removed if they are unsightly and affect your self-esteem. Their odd shape allows them to get pushed and moved around quite a bit, so if they snag on your clothes or jewelry, you could get them removed to avoid potential pain or bleeding.
There are a few ways to get your skin tags removed, some of which are:
1. Cryosurgery or Cryotherapy
Cryosurgery is a procedure frequently used by dermatologists to treat various skin conditions. It is done by using an instrument called a cryoprobe or an immensely cold liquid to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue. A cryoprobe is cooled with various substances such as liquid nitrous oxide, liquid nitrogen, or compressed argon gas. In some cases, additional applications may be needed. Cryosurgery is mostly used to treat skin tags, warts, acne and some forms of skin cancer.
2. Surgical Removal
Your doctor will numb the area around the skin tag and then use a sharp blade to cut it off.
3. Electrosurgery
Electrosurgery or electrocauterization is a routine surgical procedure which uses heat to burn off the skin tag at its base. Burning it stops the excess bleeding once it is removed.
4. Ligation
During this procedure, the doctor ties the skin tag at the base, constricting its blood flow. It should die and fall off after a couple of weeks.
These are usually non-cancerous growths, but if a skin tag looks suspicious, your doctor may perform a biopsy as a precaution.
If you are wondering how to get rid of skin tags at home, there are a few natural remedies you could try. Keep in mind that you should always consult your dermatologist before trying them. All of them only have anecdotal evidence. These include:
Tea Tree Oil
This is an essential oil used to treat multiple skin conditions, including skin tags. Though this is the case, there isn’t any actual scientific evidence that confirms that it is effective. People usually apply a few drops of tea tree oil onto a cotton ball, which they secure to the skin tag with a bandage. The cotton ball is usually left on the skin tag for 10 minutes, three times a day. It may take several weeks for it to fall off.
Liquid Iodine
Soak a Q-tip in iodine and spread it all over the skin tag. Apply coconut oil on the surrounding skin to protect it. Cover everything with a bandage until the iodine dries. Repeat this twice a day until the tag falls off.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Soak a cotton round in apple cider vinegar and affix it to the skin tag with a bandage for 10 minutes two or three times a day until it falls off.
Do not try any of these around the eye area.
Differences between Skin Tags, Warts and Moles
Though all three of them are considered benign skin growths and can sometimes look similar, there are a few ways you could differentiate one from the other:
Warts
Warts are small, rough lumps on the skin that can appear on the palms, knuckles, fingers, and knees. Most people get them during their lifetime, and they usually go away on their own. Warts usually don’t cause any harm but sometimes people find them painful, itchy or embarrassing. You can treat them with creams and plasters that you can buy from your local pharmacy. The treatment might have to go on for up to 3 months.
Moles
Moles are skin growths, usually brown or black. They can appear anywhere on the skin, alone or in groups. As you get older, moles can change color, become raised or completely disappear. Most of them are benign, but if you notice changes in a mole’s color, height, size, or shape, you should have a dermatologist evaluate it.
Prevention
While it is impossible to prevent every skin tag from appearing, you can reduce the odds of getting them by:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Keeping all skin folds dry to prevent friction (apply baby powder to trap moisture)
- Not wearing clothes or jewelry that irritate the skin (choose soft, breathable fabrics like cotton)
Conclusion
Skin tags are harmless skin growths that can be easily removed if they are aesthetically unappealing to you. For the most part, they are just a nuisance. But if you have a skin growth that bleeds or changes color, consult with your doctor as soon as possible.
References:
https://www.aocd.org/page/SkinTags
https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2018/december/skin-tags
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3179001/
http://www.ijdvl.com/article.asp?issn=0378-6323;year=2008;volume=74;issue=3;spage=222;epage=225;aulast=Gupta
https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/cryosurgery
https://www.healthline.com/health/electrocauterization
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/warts-and-verrucas/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12014-moles-freckles-skin-tags-lentigines–seborrheic-keratoses
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