Skin tags, medically known as acrochordons, are small, benign growths that often appear where skin rubs against skin, such as the neck, armpits, or groin. These growths are generally flesh-colored or slightly darker, hang off the skin by a tiny stalk, and are composed of loose collagen fibers and blood vessels. While harmless, many people seek removal for cosmetic reasons or because they become irritated by clothing or jewelry. Whether an urgent care center can perform this removal depends on the reason for the procedure.
Urgent Care Policies on Skin Tag Removal
Urgent care centers treat acute, non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries requiring prompt attention, such as minor infections, sprains, or sudden fevers. Because skin tags are non-threatening and their removal is typically elective, urgent care facilities usually do not perform the procedure. This policy centers on the distinction between a cosmetic procedure and a medically necessary one.
Most skin tag removal is considered purely cosmetic. Urgent care centers are generally not equipped or insured to handle purely elective procedures, so a request to remove a skin tag simply for appearance will almost universally be declined. Health insurance rarely covers skin tag removal unless medical necessity can be proven.
A rare exception is if the skin tag is actively symptomatic, qualifying it as medically necessary. This includes situations where the tag is severely inflamed, actively bleeding due to trauma, or showing signs of a secondary infection. In these cases, the urgent care provider focuses on treating the acute issue, such as infection or bleeding. The provider may remove the tag as part of that necessary treatment, or they may stabilize the area and refer the patient to a specialist for definitive removal.
Alternative Providers for Removal Procedures
Since urgent care is typically not the appropriate setting, patients should seek providers whose practice includes minor dermatological procedures. The first option is often a Primary Care Physician (PCP), as many routinely perform minor excisions and removals of small, uncomplicated skin tags during an office visit. This is often the most convenient setting for simple removal.
For multiple, large, or unusually located tags, or if there is suspicion that the growth is not a simple skin tag, a Dermatologist is the specialist of choice. Dermatologists have specialized training in skin conditions and can quickly diagnose the growth, ensuring it is benign before removal. They are better equipped to handle a wide variety of removal techniques and manage the cosmetic outcome.
In specific instances, such as removing a large tag in a highly visible or sensitive area like the eyelid, a Plastic Surgeon may be consulted. Their expertise in minimizing scarring and optimizing aesthetic results makes them suitable for complex cases. Consulting these specialized providers ensures the procedure is done safely and with the best possible outcome.
Common Methods Used to Remove Skin Tags
Medical professionals use standardized techniques to remove skin tags, ensuring safety and minimal discomfort. One common method is cryotherapy, which involves applying liquid nitrogen to the skin tag, freezing the tissue. The extreme cold destroys the cells, causing the tag to blister, scab, and typically fall off within seven to fourteen days.
Another technique is excision, or snip removal. The provider first numbs the area with a local anesthetic, then quickly snips the skin tag’s narrow stalk using sterile surgical scissors or a scalpel. This method provides immediate removal, though the resulting small wound requires a few days to a week to heal.
Electrocautery or cauterization uses a heated probe or specialized electric current to burn the skin tag off at its base. This technique is effective because the heat seals the small blood vessels simultaneously, minimizing bleeding during the procedure. The site forms a small scab that heals over the next week or two.