Skin tags are little tumor raised of tissue that adhere to part of your eyelids, parts of your neck, underarms, groin folds or under breasts. I know they look weird, but they often do not hurt and pose no known medical problem. It is not painful except for instances where it gets irritated by constantly rubbing on another skin or clothing. Skin tags are soft, slightly wrinkled flesh that hangs in a stalk. The color of skin tags are a bit darker than the color of the skin around it. They are small as a pinhead. There are some tags that can be about a centimeter in diameter. In a few cases, it can even be as big as a fig of 5 centimeters in diameter.
However, if you feel uncomfortable with the mark, and want to remove the tag, there are several skin tag removal techniques, both at home and by visiting the doctor.
What Causes Skin Tags?
Skin tags are quite ordinary. Stats say that about 25 percent of people will develop skin tags, usually starting after the age of 50. However, there is no particular reason for the tags. They are common in pregnant women, overweight or obese individuals and in diabetic patients. One of the cause may be irritation from skin rubbing with skin or clothing. This may be one of the main reasons why they are prevalent to obese individuals. Aging can be one of the aspect, where your skin wrinkles and the prevalence of tags are fairly common. Insulin resistance in diabetes can be one of the common reasons for tags occurrence.
Skin tags are harmless and don’t usually cause pain or discomfort. However, you can always remove it, as they are unsightly and affect your self esteem or if they snag on clothing or jewelry. Mostly you need to pay for this procedure. As the removal of skin tags is regarded as cosmetic surgery, which is rarely available through the NHS. At times, skin tags fall off on their own if the tissue has twisted and died from a lack of blood supply.
Removing Skin Tags
If a skin tag is upsetting you, consider making an appointment with a doctor or practicing GP to have it removed. However, you can consider following methods for removal.
- Freezing the tag by using liquid nitrogen which is one of the safest and fastest ways to remove a tag. This procedure is called Cryotherapy and is best done by a doctor.
- Burning through cauterization. The doctor will use electric cauterization to remove the tag.
- Ligation is one skin tag removal procedure that you can do without going to the doctor’s office.
- You can get a thread tie it in the stalk of the skin tag to deprive it of its flood source. In a few days, the tag will fall off. This may take time but it is effective.
- Incision can be used to remove tags. You can get a scissor or a scalpel. If you are afraid it can be painful, you may want to numb that area first with ice. You may also need to sterilize the scissor to make sure that you will not get infection. Cut the tag near the healthy skin. It will bleed but you can control the bleeding by putting pressure on it.
Don’t attempt to remove large skin tags yourself because they will bleed heavily.
Author Bio: Daniel Clark is an entrepreneur working as a freelance writer for alternative skin care product lines, specializing in moles, warts and skin tag removal.