Skin tags, medically known as acrochordons, are small, soft growths. They are extremely common but can be bothersome when they catch on clothing or jewelry, which often leads people to seek removal options. The following information will explore the nature of skin tags and detail both at-home and professional methods for safe removal.
Understanding Skin Tags
Skin tags are small, non-cancerous growths composed of loose collagen fibers and blood vessels encased in skin, which often hang from the body by a thin stalk or peduncle. They typically appear the same color as the surrounding skin, or sometimes slightly darker, and usually range in size from a few millimeters to about one centimeter.
Their formation is strongly linked to friction, which is why they commonly develop in areas where skin rubs against skin or clothing. These areas include the neck, armpits, groin, under the breasts, and eyelids. Several factors increase the likelihood of developing them, including age, as they become more common after the fourth decade of life.
Other recognized risk factors point toward underlying metabolic and hormonal influences. These factors include obesity, which increases skin folds and friction, and insulin resistance associated with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Genetic predisposition also plays a role; if family members have skin tags, an individual is substantially more likely to develop them.
Safe At-Home Removal Techniques
When considering at-home removal, sanitation and caution are paramount to prevent infection and scarring. One common method involves ligation, where a very thin thread or dental floss is tightly tied around the base of the skin tag. This cuts off the tag’s blood supply, causing the tissue to die and the tag to eventually fall off naturally over several days. This technique is generally safer for smaller tags, but the area must be kept clean throughout the process.
Over-the-counter (OTC) cryotherapy kits are also available, which attempt to freeze the skin tag using a specialized applicator and a freezing agent. While dermatologists use liquid nitrogen for professional cryotherapy, OTC versions may not reach the temperature necessary to completely destroy the tissue, which can lower their efficacy. The tag is expected to blister and fall off within one to two weeks, but careful application is needed to avoid damaging the surrounding healthy skin.
Topical applications, such as tea tree oil or apple cider vinegar, are frequently cited home remedies, although scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness is limited. Tea tree oil, known for its antimicrobial properties, is typically diluted with a carrier oil and applied to dry out the tag over a period of days or weeks. Apple cider vinegar’s acidity is thought to break down the tissue, but it must be diluted to avoid irritation or chemical burns on sensitive skin.
Professional Medical Procedures
For the safest and most effective removal, a medical professional, such as a dermatologist, is the best option, particularly for larger tags or those in sensitive locations like the eyelids. Professional procedures are quick, minimize the risk of complications, and ensure the growth is correctly identified before removal. One standard method is cryotherapy, which involves the precise application of liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the skin tag tissue.
Another widely used technique is excision, where the doctor numbs the area with a local anesthetic and then uses sterile surgical scissors or a scalpel to snip the tag off at its base. This method is particularly suitable for larger skin tags. For smaller lesions, electrosurgery or cauterization may be employed, which uses a high-frequency electrical current to burn or desiccate the tag, effectively sealing blood vessels and reducing bleeding.
Identifying When to Seek Expert Advice
Any new skin growth should be evaluated by a healthcare professional to confirm the diagnosis. Self-diagnosis can lead to misidentification, as some cancerous or pre-cancerous lesions can sometimes mimic the appearance of a skin tag. A proper professional assessment provides peace of mind and ensures an appropriate treatment plan.
It is important to seek medical help if a skin growth exhibits atypical characteristics that suggest it may not be a simple acrochordon. Warning signs include a growth that changes color, bleeds frequently without being snagged, grows rapidly in size, or becomes painful. If the individual is simply unsure about the nature of the growth, a dermatologist consultation is strongly recommended.