(AscendHealthy.com) – Skin tags aren’t usually anything to worry about, but they may not give us the look we want. Fortunately, there are some ways to get rid of them — and it all starts with understanding how they got there in the first place. Let’s take a closer look at what skin tags are and how we might safely remove them from our lives.
What is a Skin Tag?
Skin tags are noncancerous, painless growths on the skin. As their name suggests, they’re just a little bit of extra skin and tissue, along with collagen and blood vessels. They form mostly in the places where the skin folds, but they can appear anywhere, and both men and women get them.
They are connected to the skin by a peduncle, a small, thin stalk of skin. More commonly seen after age 50, skin tags are often found in areas like the groin, armpits, eyelids, thighs, neck, and under the breasts. While they might not be pretty, they aren’t harmful. Most of them are very small, and they’re soft to the touch.
What Causes Skin Tags?
When people get skin tags, they often wonder what caused them. It’s not known why people get skin tags. One theory is that they come from friction because we find them most often in areas where there’s more friction. But they can appear in other areas, as well.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) may cause skin tags, as might diabetes and prediabetes. People who have insulin resistance may also be more likely to develop skin tags, as are people with high triglycerides and higher body mass indexes. Pregnant women may also develop more skin tags.
How to Get Rid of Skin Tags
Most people who have skin tags are interested in finding out how to get rid of them. Very small skin tags often rub off and disappear on their own, simply from the friction of skin or clothing rubbing against them. Other skin tags stay attached and don’t hurt or cause any problems. For people who want them removed, there are several options.
Surgical removal of skin tags, usually performed with scissors or a scalpel, is ideal in most cases. The skin tag can also be burned off or frozen off, and some doctors also use ligation as an option. This technique involves tying surgical thread around the skin tag to cut off the blood flow, so the tag falls off.
When Should You Be Worried?
There’s generally never a reason to worry about a skin tag. But if you’re not sure if it’s a skin tag or something else, seeing a doctor may be the right choice. Sometimes, warts, moles, and other skin issues may look similar to a skin tag. Those other types of skin problems may have the potential to be cancerous and might need treatment. Addressing any questionable skin issues or changes with a doctor is a good choice and could even be life-saving.
Family doctors and dermatologists generally diagnose skin tags. Skin tags aren’t usually a cause for concern. Still, because medical conditions may be the underlying cause of skin tags, it’s a good idea to have them looked at by a doctor whenever we have questions.
~Here’s to Your Healthy Ascension
Copyright 2023, AscendHealthy.com
