Skin tags are common, small, noncancerous growths that often appear on the skin. They are generally harmless and do not cause pain or discomfort. While usually flesh-colored, they can sometimes turn purplish.
What Are Skin Tags
Skin tags, also known as acrochordons, are soft, flesh-colored or brownish growths that project from the skin. They often resemble a small balloon suspended on a slender stalk. Most skin tags are small, typically ranging from 1 to 5 millimeters, though some can grow larger. They have a smooth or slightly wrinkled surface and are soft to the touch.
These growths frequently appear in areas where skin rubs against itself or against clothing. Locations include the neck, armpits, groin, eyelids, and beneath the breasts. While anyone can develop skin tags, they are more prevalent in older adults, overweight individuals, and pregnant people, due to hormonal fluctuations.
Reasons for a Skin Tag Turning Purple
A skin tag typically turns purple due to an interruption in its blood supply, often triggered by twisting of its base. When the thin stalk supporting the skin tag twists, it can constrict the blood vessels, preventing blood from flowing out. This causes blood to pool within the tag, leading to a dark, purplish discoloration. The trapped blood leads to a lack of oxygen, which can cause the tissue to change color and potentially dry out.
Minor trauma or irritation can also contribute. Rubbing against clothing, jewelry, or even snagging the tag can injure delicate blood vessels, leading to bruising and a purplish appearance. In some cases, this interruption of blood flow can cause the skin tag to shrivel and eventually fall off on its own, usually within 3 to 10 days. While this process might sound concerning, it is generally considered benign.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While a purple skin tag is often harmless, certain signs warrant a professional medical evaluation. Consult a healthcare professional if the skin tag becomes persistently painful, as this could indicate significant irritation or a deeper issue. Signs of infection, such as increasing redness, warmth, swelling around the area, or pus, also require medical attention.
Rapid growth, changes in shape, or unexpected bleeding from the skin tag should prompt a visit to a doctor. Although skin tags are almost always noncancerous, a medical professional can confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions that might mimic a skin tag, such as certain moles or cancerous growths. Seeking professional advice ensures an accurate assessment and appropriate guidance, especially if the discoloration does not resolve or if new, concerning symptoms appear.
Treatment Options for Purple Skin Tags
When a skin tag turns purple, medical professionals may recommend different approaches depending on the cause and any associated symptoms. If the discoloration is due to minor twisting and does not cause significant discomfort or signs of infection, observation might be the initial course of action. Often, the tag’s blood supply will resolve, or the tag may dry up and fall off naturally.
If removal is necessary due to persistent symptoms, irritation, or cosmetic concerns, several methods are available:
Ligation involves tying off the base of the skin tag with a surgical thread to completely cut off its blood supply, causing it to wither and detach.
Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the skin tag, destroying the tissue, which then falls off.
Surgical excision, or snipping, involves using sterile scissors or a scalpel to remove the tag at its base, often after numbing the area.
Cauterization uses heat or an electric current to burn off the skin tag.
These procedures are typically quick and performed in a doctor’s office.