Skin tags, also known as acrochordons, are common, benign skin growths that often appear as small, flesh-colored or slightly darker protrusions. They typically form in areas where skin rubs against itself or clothing. While they can emerge on various parts of the body, they frequently develop around the eyes due to the delicate nature of the skin in this region.
Understanding Skin Tags Around the Eyes
Skin tags are composed of loose collagen fibers and tiny blood vessels. They usually appear in areas of friction, where skin folds or rubs together, such as the eyelids. Constant blinking contributes to this friction around the eyes. Genetic predisposition, hormonal changes (particularly during pregnancy), and age also play a role in their formation. Certain medical conditions, including obesity and Type 2 diabetes, are associated with an increased likelihood of developing skin tags.
Given their appearance, it is important to have any new growths around the eyes professionally evaluated by a dermatologist or eye specialist. While skin tags are benign, other growths like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, seborrheic keratosis, nevi (moles), xanthelasma, or milia can resemble them. A proper diagnosis ensures the growth is indeed a harmless skin tag and not a more serious condition requiring different medical intervention.
Professional Removal Approaches
When a professional removes skin tags, especially those around the eyes, several methods are available. These procedures are typically performed in a doctor’s office, often with local anesthesia for patient comfort. The choice of method depends on the skin tag’s size, location, and the healthcare provider’s expertise.
Cryotherapy involves freezing the skin tag using liquid nitrogen. A doctor applies the substance, causing the cells to die and leading to its detachment within a week or two. This method is effective and causes minimal pain, though it requires a skilled practitioner for the delicate eye area due to control over depth and scope of impact.
Surgical excision involves physically cutting off the skin tag. After numbing the area, a medical professional uses sterile surgical scissors or a scalpel to snip the growth at its base. This method often results in immediate removal, with electrocautery sometimes used afterward to control bleeding. Minimal scarring is generally expected, and proper aftercare is important for healing.
Electrocautery uses a device to transmit an electric current, generating heat to burn off the skin tag. A fine needle-like probe applies the current, destroying the growth and simultaneously preventing bleeding. This method minimizes impact on surrounding healthy skin, and often provides rapid results with minimal discomfort. The treated area typically forms a scab that heals within one to three weeks.
Ligation involves tying off the base of the skin tag with a surgical thread or elastic band to cut off its blood supply. This deprivation causes the skin tag to harden, die, and eventually fall off within a few weeks. While effective, ligation is often best suited for skin tags with a thin stalk and may not be practical for all locations around the eye.
Risks of Self-Removal
Attempting to remove skin tags at home, particularly those around the eyes, carries serious risks. The delicate nature of the skin and close proximity to the eye make do-it-yourself methods dangerous. Such attempts can lead to serious complications that far outweigh any perceived convenience or cost savings.
One major risk is infection, as non-sterile tools and unsanitized hands can introduce bacteria directly into the wound, especially near the eye. This can result in painful infections requiring medical treatment. Bleeding is another common complication, particularly if the skin tag has a thick base or if blood vessels are inadvertently cut. Excessive bleeding near the eye can be difficult to control without professional help.
Permanent scarring is a frequent outcome of improper removal, as home methods often lack the precision of medical tools and techniques. This can leave noticeable marks in a highly visible area. More concerning is the potential for direct damage to the eye itself, such as scratching the cornea or injuring the conjunctiva, which could impair vision. Self-removal also carries the risk of incomplete removal, leading to recurrence, or misdiagnosis. Removing a growth at home without professional assessment means a potentially serious condition, like a skin cancer, could be mistaken for a benign skin tag, delaying proper medical intervention.
Prevention and Recurrence
While there is no guaranteed method to completely prevent skin tags from forming, especially around the eyes, managing contributing factors can help reduce their appearance. Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise is beneficial, as excess weight often leads to increased skin folds and friction. Reducing friction in the eye area, by choosing well-fitting eyewear and avoiding excessive eye rubbing, can also help prevent them.
Even after professional removal, skin tags can recur in the same area or appear in new locations, as underlying predispositions often remain. Genetic factors, hormonal changes, and medical conditions like diabetes or insulin resistance can continue to influence their development. If the entire base of the skin tag is not eliminated during removal, regrowth is possible. Therefore, regular monitoring and consulting a professional for any new or concerning growths are important for long-term management.