How To Excise Skin Tags

Avoid doing it yourself and see a dermatologist for all-time results

Avoid doing it yourself and see a dermatologist for best results

Pare tags are small, not-cancerous growths that seem to randomly develop on your skin, especially in your armpits, cervix, groin and other areas where your skin naturally folds. They're fabricated up of skin cells, collagen fibers, nervus cells, fatty and blood vessels, and adhere to your peel by a thin, fleshy cylinder called a stalk.

Clinically known as acrochordons, skin tags ordinarily first out small — between i and 5 mm — but tin grow to several centimeters over fourth dimension. They may be the aforementioned color as your peel or dark brownish. Skin tags are not harmful, but if y'all notice a rapid change in the size, color or shape of a pare tag, accept your doc check it to dominion out other conditions.

Though pare tags are painless, they can exist a nuisance. Depending where they are on the body, they may get defenseless on vesture or necklaces, and may bleed from repeated rubbing confronting clothing. Should they become irritating, it'south of import to know how to safely remove skin tags.

Who gets peel tags?

Well-nigh one-half of all adults will develop at least one skin tag in their lifetime. People can develop peel tags as early every bit their 20s, just they are nearly common later on age 40. More tend to appear with age. One time a skin tag has adult, information technology'southward nearly ever there for life.

Experts don't know what causes peel tags, only they may "run in the family." They're also more common amid those with sure health conditions, including obesity, blazon 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, homo papilloma virus (HPV) and a genetic disorder called Birt-Hogg-Dube Syndrome. It's also possible that skin tags form as a issue of skin-to-skin friction and irritation in body folds, or that they are a normal consequence of aging.

How tin you lot safely remove pare tags?

Skin tags are harmless, so in that location's no need to concern yourself with them unless you notice changes, or they become painful. Still, some people detect them bothersome or unsightly and want them removed. While at that place are a variety of at-home treatments to remove peel tags floating around the internet — such every bit applying toothpaste, garlic or apple tree cider vinegar — it'southward a bad idea to try to exercise it yourself.

"There's no clinical evidence that toothpaste or any other home remedies are effective in removing pare tags, and yous risk infecting or irritating the skin," says Maryam Afshar, Doctor, a dermatologist at Scripps Clinic Torrey Pines. "Besides, avoid trying to shave or cutting them off, which can too pb to severe bleeding, infection or scarring."

The best manner to remove skin tags is to brand an appointment with a dermatologist, who can practise it safely and effectively in a sterile environs. Most skin tags tin be removed correct in the medico's part using i of these methods:

Excision

Your doctor volition numb the surface area and snip off the skin tag.

Electrocautery

Using an electrified wire, your doctor will burn through the stem that attaches the tag to your skin. The heat helps minimize haemorrhage.

Cryosurgery

Your md volition apply common cold liquid nitrogen to the tag, which volition freeze and fall off. It may leave a small blister that will heal on its own in a few days.

Laser removal

A special light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation is used to remove the skin tag; your doctor may numb the area outset. Laser removal may leave a tiny wound that will heal.

Removal past doc is low-risk procedure

Removing a pare tag is by and large a low-chance process, but bleeding from the site is mutual. Be sure to follow your doctor'due south instructions on caring for the removal site at abode to aid prevent infection.

"If y'all're concerned about peel tags, make an appointment to talk near having them removed," says Dr. Afshar. "It's a quick and simple process, and information technology's permanent, and then the tags won't grow back."