Have you ever wondered about the small tiny growths that appear on your eyelids, underarms, or neck? Sometimes, they are dark, for others, it could be the same color as your skin. It could also be pink. If you recently developed skin tags on your skin, don’t try to remove them, as the procedure can be risky and harmful to your health. However, there are many services available, such as the Singapore skin tag removal, to help you with that. But before we get into that, you might want to know a thing or two about skin tags.
What Are Skin Tags?
There are a lot of myths about their nature, with some people believing them to be cancerous. This is not true. Although they are non-cancerous tumors, skin tags entail ducts and fibers with fat cells and nerve cells, and the epidermis is the cover. Skin tags go by several names, like acrochordon, cutaneous papilloma, fibroma pendulum, or fibroepithelial polyp. Other less popular names include soft fibroma and fibroma molluscum.
In terms of size, they usually start small and flat like a pinhead bump, but they can either remain as small or grow bigger. Diameter can range from 1 to 5 millimeters, but, on occasion, it can grow up to 2 centimeters. Their surfaces vary, as they can be irregular or smooth, and most of the time, they are released off the surface on stalks or fleshy peduncles. The dominant color common to most people is slightly brown or flesh-colored.
Where Do They Appear?
Skin tags appear in just about any part of the body, with the prominent ones being the armpits, eyelids, under the breast, groin, neck, and upper chest. There are instances where they even go unnoticed if they grow in a region where they are continuously scratched or rubbed by your clothing or during shaving. Some people even never notice them as they can, at times, fall off painlessly if they are small, while the large ones can burst under pressure.
Why Do They Appear?
Individuals with unhealthy blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, risky cholesterol levels, or any other metabolic syndrome are at risk. You might also get them if your blood relative has them, too. It is, however, important to remember that the clear cause of skin tags is not entirely known. Some speculate that it happens when collagen and blood vessels are trapped in thicker pieces of skin. Since they often appear in the folds and wrinkles of the skin, they can also be the result of constant friction against the skin. This means that overweight and pregnant individuals or anyone with loose skin have higher chances of developing skin tags.
Should I See a Doctor?
Whenever you see a growth or any new spot on your skin, you might want to wait before you rush to a doctor’s office. However, when they grow bigger, become painful, bleed, or appear in large numbers, we recommend you seek professional counsel. You won’t have to go through scans or medical tests during diagnosis for skin tags as it’s done through a skin examination and a few questions from your doctor. In most cases, you don’t need to worry as skin tags are harmless, not to mention barely noticeable because of their size.
Is There a Need for Skin Tag Treatment?
Medically, there is no need to remove a skin tag because they tend to drop off by themselves after some time. However, should you insist on wanting it to be removed, you can talk to your doctor about it. The following are some of the ways skin tags can be removed:
- Electrodesication – This is when the doctor uses a small needle to zap off the skin tag with electrical energy. Afterward, you might develop a scab that will take at most three weeks to heal.
- Excision – This involves cutting off the skin tag using a scalpel or surgical scissors. A solution is then applied to stop further bleeding. Excision is usually an instant option and is done using a blade. However, if you want to go for a swift method, cryosurgery will be your go-to option. In just a single treatment, you will say goodbye to all your skin tags.
- Cryotherapy – Here, the dermatologist applies a cold substance, like liquid nitrogen, that freezes off the skin tag. In some instances, the freezing might result in a scab or blister, and when it falls off, so will the tag.
There is also aftercare after the tag is removed, and depending on the method used, the dermatologist will give you follow-up instructions. This may include occasionally removing the bandage, cleaning the area, and wrapping it up with a new one.
Most of the time, the removal procedure depends on where the skin tag is on your body. It is not recommended to remove it yourself because you risk getting an infection, and it can bring about heavy bleeding.
Some people mistake skin tags for warts and end up using wart removers on skin tags because of their similarities. This is ill-advised because warts are much harder and require strong medication. Also, since skin tags are softer than warts, using a wart remover can easily damage your skin, resulting in irritation or scarring.
Summary
Skin tags appear often when skin experiences rubbing whether against clothing or the skin itself. Even though they are harmless, you can choose to remove them for cosmetic reasons or if they grow bigger and bleed or become painful. They can be removed through excision, cryosurgery, or hyfrecation, and the removal must be done by a professional to prevent the risk of infection.
Do not use nail clippers or attempt to remove them yourself at home. Skin tags are associated with several medical conditions, hormonal changes, and obesity. This means getting skin tags can be an indication of some medical complications like cardiovascular diseases and insulin resistance. There is no sure way to steer clear. However, we recommend maintaining a healthy body weight through regular exercise and ensuring that your meals are well-balanced.
