What Are The Treatment Options For Skin Tags?

Editor's Choice
Main Category: Dermatology
Also Included In: Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery
Article Date: 05 Jun 2010 - 0:00 PDT

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The hallmark symptom of skin tags is a growth on the skin. The tag (growth) is generally small, although it may sometimes be up to half an inch or even more in diameter.

The skin tag may have a narrow stalk (peduncle).

It is usually located in skin folds and creases, such as:

• Eyelids
• Axillae (armpits)
• Under the breasts
• Groin
• Upper chest
• Neck

The skin tag may be:

• Smooth in appearance
• Irregular in appearance
• It is usually flesh colored or slightly brownish

It is common for skin tags to appear in groups. They may become stuck on jewelry, are shaved in error, and are agitated by clothing. Women who shave their armpits should be careful not to shave or cut larger skin tags that may be located there.

Treatment options for skin tags

As skin tags are usually harmless, people have them removed for aesthetic or cosmetic reasons. Sometimes large ones, especially in areas where they may rub against something, such as clothing, jewelry or skin, may be removed because the area becomes frequently irritated. An individual may have a large skin tag removed from his face or under her arms in order to make shaving easier.

The following procedures may be used to remove skin tags:

• Cauterization - the skin tag is burned off using electrolysis (heat is used to remove them)
• Cryosurgery - the skin tag is frozen off using a probe containing liquid nitrogen
• Ligation - the blood supply to the skin tag is interrupted
• Excision - the skin tag is removed with a scalpel (it is cut out)

These procedures should be performed only by a dermatologist (specialist skin doctor) or similarly trained medical professional.

Skin tags on the eyelid - if the skin tag is very close to the eyelid margin, the procedure may have to be done by an ophthalmologist (eye specialist doctor).

OTC (over-the-counter, no prescription required) solutions

OTC solutions can be purchased at pharmacies which freeze the skin tag; it eventually falls off after 7 to 10 days. These medications are similar to wart-removal ones.

If the skin tag is small enough and suitable, it might come off by simply scratching it. However, it is best to have this done by a health care professional.

There is no evidence to support the theory that removing skin tags encourages more of them to develop.

Further reading

 
• What are skin tags and what causes them?

Sources: National Health Service (NHS), UK, The Mayo Clinic, Wikipedia, HHS (Department of Health and Human Services USA), NIH (National Institutes of Health, USA).

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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