Skin tags (acrochorda) are harmless benign tumors of skin that normally occurs in the folds of the skin mainly around eyes, neck, armpits, chest, under the breast and in the groin. They often go unnoticed and not need any medical attention unless repeatedly irritated or causing esthetic concerns. Their color varies from light skin to brown while size range from 2 millimeters to 5 inches. They may be smooth or rough in texture and may be firmly attached or hanging.
Both men and women are equally affected by skin tags. It is not known what causes skin tags to appear, however, it is generally believed that obese people are more vulnerable to skin tags appearing in the skin folds where certain collagen fibers and blood vessels accumulate and covered by skin. Other risk factors include diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, high levels of insulin running in the blood, hormonal imbalance especially estrogen and progesterone, pregnancy, Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome and cardiovascular diseases.
People seek certain home remedies for skin tag removal. Skin tag removal creams and devices are available over the counter. Dental floss or string also helps in tag removal by cutting off the blood supply. Liquid nitrogen is also used for freezing the tag followed by its self-constriction. Tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar and liquid iodine are also preferred by people as home remedies for tag removal.
Not every time, home remedies should be followed especially when the tag is of larger size, bleeding or located near eye or groin. It is always recommended to seek professional advice in the matter where your body is involved. Cauterization (burning the skin tag till it falls off), cryotherapy (applying liquid nitrogen), ligation (tightening the tag with surgical thread) and excision (cutting the tag with surgical blade) are some of the most common medical treatments for skin tag removal.
If you are facing any type of skin tag that is problematic to you in any way, let us (Rao Dermatology) deal with it. Book your appointment now…
