A skin tag is a small piece of soft hanging skin; it can occur anywhere in the body, but it is common in areas that rub against each other or clothing. For example, Boynton Beach skin tags are likely to appear on your neck, armpits, under the breasts, and the groin area. Skin tags are usually harmless, but you can get them excised for cosmetic reasons.
What do skin tags look like?
Skin tags are usually small and take your natural skin color, but they can vary in size – from a few millimeters to up to five centimeters wide. They can resemble warts, but skin tags tend to be smooth and soft, while warts are rough with an irregular surface. Skin tags hang off the skin, are not contagious, and do not cause pain or discomfort.
Causes of skin tags
The exact cause of skin tags remains unclear, but they may occur when collagen fiber and blood vessels get trapped inside thicker pieces of skin. Skin tags can occur in men and women, but people with type 2 diabetes or who are obese are more likely to develop skin tags. Skin tags tend to grow on skin folds or creases, which explains why they occur in overweight individuals. Hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy can also result in skin tags. However, skin tags may develop for no apparent reason.
When skin tags can be problematic
Skin tags are usually harmless and do not affect your health. However, you may consider having them removed if they snag on jewelry and bleed or they affect your self-esteem. Because skin tag removal is a cosmetic treatment, you may need to pay out of pocket. Other times skin tags fall off without treatment when the tissue twists and dies from lack of blood supply.
How can I remove skin tags?
If you have a skin tag, do not try to remove it without speaking to your primary care provider. You want to make an appointment with your general practitioner to remove it safely. There are several approaches your doctor may use to remove skin tags, including cauterization, cryosurgery, ligation, and excision.
Cauterization involves burning the skin tags; you may experience temporary irritation and skin discoloration afterward, and you may need further treatment if the tag doesn’t fall off. Your doctor may recommend excision since it has the advantage of eradicating the skin tag. However, you may need local anesthesia, and the procedure poses the risk of minor bleeding.
If your skin tag has a narrow base, your physician may guide you on how to remove it yourself. They may suggest using dental floss to tie the bottom of the skin tag; this cuts off blood supply and may cause the tag to drop off. Healthcare providers caution against trying to remove large skin tags without professional help because they bleed heavily.
If your skin tag affects your self-confidence, reserve a session with your healthcare provider at Nguyen Medical Group for treatment to boost your confidence and self-esteem.
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