Skin Tags – What Are They?

Skin tags (Acrochordons) are harmless skin growths that hang from the skin. They are soft and skin-colored. Skin tags are made of collagen fibers and blood vessels They are covered with a thin layer of skin. They are not cancerous and will not turn into skin cancer. Skin tags are permanent growths that will not go away by themselves. Many people develop several skin tags. It unknown what causes them, but as people age they are more likely to get skin tags, in fact they are common in people over 60 years of age. Skin tags also tend to develop after a pregnancy or gaining weight. The tendency to develop skin tags also seems to run in families.

A skin tag may first show up as a small soft lump on the skin. As time goes on, it can grow to a lump of skin attached to the skin’s surface by a thin piece of skin called a stalk. A skin tag is usually painless, unless irritated by being rubbed between folds of the skin or clothing. Click here for natural skin tag removal options.

Skin tags can range in size from 1 millimeter to 5 centimeters in diameter. They are often located in folds of the skin, in the armpits, groin, neck, eyelids, and beneath the breasts. They can become irritated if they are rubbed by clothing or jewelry. They can also make a person self conscious about their appearance because they are not always pleasant to look at.

Your doctor can diagnose skin tags just by looking at them, but should ask about your symptoms and medical history, when he performs a physical exam. Most skin tags can be diagnosed without invasive tests. Though in a few cases, a skin biopsy may be necessary. You can discuss with your doctor about the best way to treat the skin tag. Your doctor can distinguish skin tags from other benign skin lesions. There are several treatment options. The skin tab may be frozen with a method called Cryotherapy which makes it falls off. It can also be cut off surgically with scissors. With a method called electro surgery, an electric current is applied to the skin tag to remove it. A suture can be tied around the skin tag to remove it. This is called ligation. If you’re looking for natural methods for skin tag removal, Click Here.

With some of these procedures bleeding will occur and can be stopped with a chemical (aluminum chloride) or electric (cauterizing) treatment. Since no one really knows what causes skin tags there is no known way to prevent them. Skin tags are not a medical condition only a cosmetic concern. If you choose to have skin tags removed by a doctor, be aware that most health insurances will not cover the procedure.

Wart and Mole Removal | Skin Tags – What Are They?