

They can sometimes be inconvenient and many people want to have them removed because they don’t like the way they look.

Skin tags skin#
They aren’t contagious and simple skin tags don’t become cancerous. Skin tags are benign skin lesions which are harmless. It’s important to see a doctor if you have a new lesion or there are any changes to existing ones. It usually goes away by itself in a few months. Although harmless molluscum contagiosum can be a bit itchy and spread to other parts of the body. The lesions however are circular spots with a central dimple rather than a tag rising from the skin surface. Like tags, these are commonly found in the armpits, groin and behind the knees. There’s a childhood viral condition called molluscum contagiosum which you might confuse for skin tags. Tags usually start as tiny bumps and gradually get bigger. Friction can come from skin rubbing against skin, such as in the armpits, or from clothes or jewellery rubbing against skin. This leads to overgrowth of cells and the development of skin tags. What causes skin tagsįriction or rubbing against the skin surface irritates skin cells. Skin tags are often attached to the skin by a thin stalk, also known as a peduncle. Inside there are collagen fibres, blood vessels, nerve fibres and fat cells. Skin tags are covered in epidermis, the usual outer layer of skin. They are a type of benign (harmless) skin tumour. They are usually only 2 to 3 millimetres in size but they can grow up to 5 centimetres over time. Skin tags are small flaps of tissue which stick out from the skin.

Some people choose to have them removed for cosmetic purposes or because they are catching on clothing.ĭr Juliet McGrattan looks at the common causes, risk factors, treatment options and home remedies for skin tag removal: They vary in colour and size and are completely harmless. Several applications may be necessary before the growth falls away (again, usually within 10 days).Skin tags are small, painless growths that hang from the skin. The patient should avoid spraying these on to surrounding skin and may want to apply petroleum jelly around the tag for protection. Liquid nitrogen spray for skin tagsĬertain skin tag removal products also contain liquid nitrogen. The cream may cause a mild stinging sensation the skin tags should fall off within 2-3 weeks. Some recommend cleaning the skin with an alcohol wipe and filing down the tag before applying the cream, to ensure it is fully absorbed. Kits containing cream and an applicator are also available. The idea is that, without a supply of blood, the cells will die and the tag will fall off, usually within 10 days. Some skin tag removal kits aim to cut off the supply of blood to the base of the tag with a tiny band, a process called ligation. However, you may consider having your skin tags removed for either cosmetic reasons or if they snag on clothing or jewellery. In general, skin tags don’t require treatment, and sometimes smaller skin tags fall off on their own. For some people, skin tags have an impact on their self-esteem, so skin tag removal is always an option. Skin tags are harmless - they do not cause any pain and are not a sign of skin cancer. This theory was borne out by a 2010 study in Brazil, which found that the presence of multiple skin tags was associated with insulin resistance, a high body mass index (BMI), and high triglycerides. Skin tags are common in people with high resistance to insulin (the major factor underlying type 2 diabetes). In rare cases, multiple skin tags can be a sign of a hormone imbalance or an endocrine problem. This is thought to be due to hormonal changes and increased levels of growth factors. Skin tags affect men and women equally however, the risk of developing skin tags increases during pregnancy. Are skin tags from HPV?Īccording to a 2008 study in India that analysed 37 skin tags from different parts of the body, the human papillomavirus ( HPV) may be a factor, with the results showing HPV DNA in almost 50% of the skin tags examined. However, because they tend to grow at sites where the skin rubs against itself, they more commonly affect overweight people, who may have excess skin folds and suffer from skin chafing. The precise cause of skin tags is unknown. Book a private appointment with a local pharmacist today to discover treatment options Book now What causes skin tags?
