The ManicaPost
SKIN tags are growths that hang from your skin.
Your doctor might call them ‘acrochordons’.
They range from 1mm to 1cm and are made of collagen (a type of protein) and blood vessels surrounded by skin.
They usually grow in the folds of the skin, where skin rubs together, such as, armpits, groin, anus, thighs, eyelids, neck or under the breasts.
Skin tags are common, especially as the person ages.
They occur in approximately one in every two adults.
They don’t cause any harm, but if a skin tag is bothering you, you can talk to your doctor about having it removed.
What are the symptoms of skin tags?
These growths can appear anywhere on the skin, but they usually develop where skin has been rubbing against skin, jewellery, or clothing for some time.
That is why they usually occur in one or more of these areas:
Breasts (beneath)
Eyelids
Groin
Neck creases (or where clothing or jewellery rubs against the neck)
Underarms
Skin tags are also commonly found on the sides, abdomen, or back.
Because they develop where skin rubs against skin, people who are overweight, pregnant, or have loose skin are more likely to get skin tags.
You also have a higher risk of developing skin tags if you have diabetes, metabolic syndrome (high blood pressure, unhealthy blood sugar levels, extra fat around your waist, or unhealthy cholesterol levels), or a blood relative has skin tags.
It’s important to keep in mind that these growths are harmless.
Most skin tags are painless and don’t cause any symptoms.
But if they rub on clothing or jewellery, they may get sore and bleed.
Skin tags look different from warts and other benign skin lesions because of the small stalk that attaches them to the skin.
Warts tend to be flat, while skin tags hang off the skin.
What causes skin tags?
The exact cause of skin tags is unknown, and there are likely to be both lifestyle and genetic causes.
Some people develop them for no known reason.
You are more likely to get skin tags in areas where the skin tends to rub against itself.
Some health conditions are thought to contribute to the risk of developing skin tags, such as:
overweight and obesity
diabetes
pregnancy
Anyone of any gender can develop skin tags, and they are more common in older people.
If you’re pregnant and develop skin tags, they usually disappear after your baby is born.
When should I see my doctor?
If you ever notice a new spot or growth on your skin, you should always see your doctor to check what it is.
It is important that your doctor examines you in person, and checks for signs of skin cancer and other skin conditions.
You should also see your doctor if you have a skin tag that is bothering you, if you would like to have it removed.
Your doctor can give you information about skin tag removal options.
Because they are harmless, a skin tag only needs to be removed if it:
Becomes irritated or bleeds
Develops on your eyelid and affects your eyesight
· Feels painful, especially when the pain comes on suddenly
Suddenly developing many skin tags while rare can be a sign that something is going on inside your body.
If this happens, see a board-certified dermatologist, who can make sure you have skin tags and may recommend that you see your primary care doctor.
Can skin tags be prevented?
Skin tags can’t be fully prevented. You can, however, reduce your chances of getting skin tags by maintaining a healthy body weight with a balanced diet and exercise.
Home remedies for skin tags
Skin tags don’t usually require treatment or a visit to the doctor.
If you choose to remove a tag, it may be possible to do so with products already in your medicine cabinet or kitchen.
Most at-home remedies involve drying out the skin tag until it shrinks in size and falls off.
Be careful!
It’s important to note that these home remedies will always take longer to produce results than surgical procedures.
Never try to take a shortcut by cutting off a skin tag yourself this can easily result in infection and bleeding.
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Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil, which has antiviral and antifungal properties, is safe to use on the skin when diluted in a carrier oil.
First, wash the affected area.
Then, using a Q-tip or cotton swab, gently massage the oil over the skin tag.
Place a bandage over the area overnight.
Repeat this treatment for several nights until the tag dries out and falls off.
Banana peel
Don’t toss away your old banana peels, especially if you have a skin tag.
The peel of a banana can also help dry out a skin tag.
This may be due to the antioxidant properties found in them.
Place a piece of banana peel over the tag and cover it with a bandage. Do this nightly until the tag falls off.
Apple cider vinegar
Soak a cotton swab in apple cider vinegar and place the cotton swab over the skin tag.
Wrap the section in a bandage for 15 to 30 minutes, and then wash the skin.
Repeat daily for a couple of weeks.
The acidity of apple cider vinegar breaks down the tissue surrounding the skin tag, causing it to fall off.
Vitamin E
Aging may contribute to skin tags.
Since vitamin E is an antioxidant that fights wrinkles and keeps the skin healthy, applying liquid vitamin E over a skin tag may cause the growth to vanish in a couple of days.
Simply massage the oil over the tag and surrounding skin until it falls off.
Garlic
Garlic helps improve the appearance of skin by reducing inflammation.
To naturally get rid of a skin tag, apply crushed garlic over the tag, and then cover the area with a bandage overnight.
Wash the area in the morning. Repeat until the skin tag shrinks and disappears.
Takeaway
Skin tags are usually harmless, so treatment isn’t necessary unless they cause irritation.
Although home remedies and OTC products can be effective, inexpensive solutions, see your doctor if a skin tag doesn’t respond to home treatment, bleeds, or continues to grow.
Several procedures can successfully remove a skin tag with minimal pain and scarring. — Online.
