What Are Skin Tags?



Skin tags are small, mild tumours are also referred to as Cutaneous Papilloma. These tumors are benign and actually rather common. They are much like warts, simply an abnormal growth of the skin cells. The growths are normally found in facial and neck area, under arms, chest and groin area. The tumours can go from one extreme to another in terms of texture and colour with some tags being smooth almost even with the skin, while other stick out like a sore eye. Colours can also range from light to very dark.

Who Gets Skin Tags?

Unfortunately, no one is exempt from getting skin tags and even if you don't have them now, they can pop up at any time. Both genders can get tags. However it is more common on persons who are in the last age group 50 to 60 years. Hormones play an important role in tag development especially during menopause and pregnancy. Sufferers of Diabetes as well as obesity have greater tendency to get tags. Tags can be a warning sign of brewing medical problems for example Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome.

How To Get Rid Of Skin Tags

A range of effective treatment methods and procedures are available that will not cost an arm and a leg with minimal pain and scaring. Luckily, your insurance usually pays for most of these methods anyway. Your physician or dermatologist is the most clued-up on methods or treatments that will suit you best as and individual. Keep in mind, that not all of these methods will work for you. You may have to try a few before you find one that sticks.

Surgical removal- A scalpel or even laser can be used to cut out the tag. A local Anesthesia is required to numb the area so that you will feel no pain when the tag is removed and you will also need stitches for wound closure. There is possibility of scaring with this removal method but most people usually make out OK.

Cryosurgery- Cryosurgery is the preferred choice of treatment for skin tags as it is least painful and the scaring is almost unnoticeable. With this method, the abnormal cells are frozen with Liquid Nitrogen. This is also the same method that is used to get rid of warts.

Go natural- Home remedies and procedures can be employed with great success to eliminate this often embarrassing and uncomfortable skin condition. Normal thread or gut can be used to cut-off circulation of the tag by merely tying it around the tag. The tag will eventually dry out and fall off. There are other natural solutions with herbs and vitamins that can be tried. Natural solutions can be bought at your health store, which is a cost effective and easy method of getting rid of the tag.