A small flesh colored or Brown growth often hangs off the skin is called skin tags. They are common and harmless and look like warts. They may range in size from few millimeters to 5cm in length. They’re usually found on the neck, armpits, around the groin, or under the breasts. They can also grow on the eyelids or under the folds of the buttocks.
Mostly it affects older people and diabetic people. It is also found in pregnant women due to the change in hormone levels. Some people get this for no other reason. Skin tags tends to grow on skin that rub against skin or clothing
Skin tags are harmless until it gets infected and usually it causes no pain or discomfort. You may consider getting them removed if it affects your self-esteem or if it bleeds. You can get it done by a cosmetic surgeon.
Skin tags can be removed in the same way warts are removed by burnt or frozen off. Local anesthetic can be used if you want to remove surgically. Small tags with small base can be removed by tying off the skin base with dental floss and make it drop off. Don’t remove by yourself as it may bleed heavily. Skin discoloration is the temporary side effect if you freeze or burn the tag and need repeated treatment. Skin tags are not contagious in nature like warts. Those who are more prone to tags need tags removal every six months.
Removal of tags
People often take skin tag off even though it is harmless due to several reason including low self esteem. Skin tags on the face or neck can affect their personality and confidence that make them to undergo treatment resolve the problem. Skin tags in the areas where skin or cloth or jewellery rub against needs to be removes as this may cause irritation,pain,bleeding or even infection if treated carelessly. Men with skin tag on their shaving area has to undergo means to remove them all since it may affect their shaving routine.
There are some Home and medical treatments are available if tags are bothersome
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).
Tying of the tag at its narrow base with dental floss or a string
Freeze the tag with liquid nitrogen
Remove tags with scissor with or without local anesthetic
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).