What is a Skin Tag?

With more and more diseases and disorders being discovered day by day, any abnormal changes in the body can be a cause of worry. Even a small skin growth can sometimes be a cause of concern, till it is diagnosed as skin tag. Then, what is a skin tag and how does it look like? If you are interested in knowing more about skin tags, go through this article.

What are Skin Tags?

Any type of abnormal skin growth can be a health concern. It can be a cosmetic concern too. Especially, if such growths are on the face and neck. If you develop any such condition, it is always better to get it diagnosed. Skin growths can be benign or malignant. Most of the benign skin growths stay small and do not grow beyond a particular stage. They may not cause any symptom, like pain. While malignant growths, like, skin cancer, are uncommon, benign skin growths can be of many different types. This include freckles, keloids, skin moles, skin tags, etc.

Skin tags are among the most common benign skin growths and are also known as acrochordon, fibroepithelial polyp, cutaneous papilloma, fibroma molluscum, fibroma pendulum, papilloma colli, soft fibroma, etc. A skin tag is a skin growth that is often found in elderly people. These growths are often seen as small masses of soft hanging skin. Some of these skin tags are found to be attached to the body through small stalks or peduncles. They are usually painless growths and may vary in size. It can be as small as a pinhead and may grow as big as a raisin. While most of them have wrinkled surfaces, those with even surfaces are not rare. Most of these growth have a color similar to the skin of the affected person, but, in some cases, these growths are found to have a darker color.

Even though skin tags may develop on any part of the body, they are mainly seen on locations like, armpits, neck, groin, beneath breasts, chest, eye lashes. It is said that friction in skin creases is one of the most common causes of skin tags. Even the friction caused by jewelry, clothes, etc. can contribute to skin growths. Heredity, obesity, diabetes, hormonal changes, use of certain medications, etc. may also be contributory factors for skin tags. Some women develop skin tags during pregnancy.

Skin Tag Treatment

As mentioned above, skin tags are classified as a benign skin condition that is usually found to have no health concerns. However, it can be a cosmetic concern, especially, if skin tags occur in large numbers. Even those on the face and neck may affect the look of the person. So, removing skin tags can be done, if you are concerned about the looks, or if they are causing irritation or discomfort.

To get rid of skin tags, you may either approach a dermatologist or resort to some natural methods. If you want to get it done with the help of a dermatologist, the procedure will be more or less like a cosmetic surgery only. A doctor may resort to cauterization, cryosurgery, surgical ligation or excision, of the skin tags. Home remedies are another option. One of the commonly used methods for removing skin tags at home is tying the base of the growth with a thread in a tight manner, so as to cut off the blood supply to this part. This results in falling of the skin tag within two to three days. Some people use a paste of castor oil and baking soda on the skin tags (to be applied several times a day) to get rid of it. Others use duct tape or band aid to cover the skin tags for a few days, after which they fall off on their own. Nowadays, over-the-counter medicines are also available. Most of such medications freeze the skin tag, causing them to fall off within the next few days.

Now, you have a basic understanding about what is a skin tag and how it can be removed. If you develop this condition, make sure to get it diagnosed and then resort to its removal, that too, if required.