What Is A Skin Tag?

Skin tags are something that the majority of people suffer from at some point in their lives, although most people notice them appearing from middle age onwards. They range in size and can grow in a variety of places on the body.

The following looks more closely at skin tags, what they are, and the different treatments available to get rid of them. 

Skin Tags: What they are, causes, and treatments 

• Everything you need to know about skin tags
• Causes of skin tags
• Treatments for skin tags

Everything you need to know about skin tags 

Skin tags are small, soft pieces of hanging skin, usually connected to the body by a stalk (a peduncle). They affect both men and women and are more common after midlife. While they can appear anywhere, the most common regions are in folds of skin, such as on the neck, groin, armpits, beneath the breasts, or around the eyelids. 

They range in size, from virtually unnoticeable to larger tags that might get caught in clothing, jewelry, or noticed when you’re shaving. They range from skin-colored to brown, are usually raised from the surface of the skin or hang from a stalk. They start as a small, pinhead-like bump, perhaps growing as large as 5cm in diameter.

The vast majority of skin tags are benign and therefore harmless. 

Causes of skin tags

The reasons skin tags form is unknown. One theory is that blood vessels and collagen become trapped inside thicker pieces of skin. They can occur in anyone, but often appear during pregnancy, in those who’re overweight, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. There does appear to be a genetic link.

There is some suggestion that skin tags might be more prevalent in those with a risk of cardiovascular disease and insulin resistance. There’s also a rare link between some uncommon skin tumor conditions and polycystic ovary syndrome. 

Treatments for skin tags 

There is no medical reason to remove skin tags. However, if they’re in an area that rubs or gets caught on clothing, etc., or they’re particularly unsightly, then you might wish to have them treated.

They are removed in several ways:

• Ligation: A band is placed around the stalk, cutting off the blood supply. After a few days or weeks, the tag falls away.
• Removal patches: These mediation-containing patches are placed on the tag, which should then eventually fall away.
• Tag removal cream: Cream is applied to the tag, which should eventually fall off after about 3 weeks.

All of the above are home DIY remedies that can be purchased from any drug store. However, their success rating is highly variable and won’t work in all cases. In addition, the ones containing medication aren’t regulated by the FDA, so care should be taken if you decide to use such a product. 

Cryotherapy: A dermatologist uses a far quicker and more successful method that freezes the tag. This destroys the tissue, which then falls off after a few days. While there are home freezing kits available, they won’t have the ultra-low temperatures that guarantee success. This makes a visit to the dermatology office the only safe and sure-fire way to guarantee removal of the skin tag/s.

Bayou City Dermatology is the Go-To Clinic for Skin Tag Removal 

While there are many over-the-counter (OTC) treatments for skin tag removal, it’s highly recommended that procedures to remove them are carried out by a trained professional. Even if you do want to use an OTC option—perhaps for a small skin tag—you should seek expert advice before doing so.

At Bayou City Dermatology we offer the ultimate in skin tag removal, with experienced dermatologists defining the correct method to treat your particular situation.

So what are you waiting for? Head to https://www.bayoucitydermatology.com now and get in touch to begin your journey to beautiful skin tag-free skin in a safe, professional, and clinical location.