Skin tags, also known as acrochordons, are benign tumors that develop on your skin. Here are four things you need to know about skin tags.
What do skin tags look like?
Skin tags are generally skin-colored, though they can sometimes be hyperpigmented (darker than your skin). These soft tumors can range in size from two to six millimeters and are often seen on the neck, in the armpits, or around the groin.
Why do skin tags form?
The cause of skin tags is still poorly understood, but they're incredibly common. They're reported to occur in nearly half of the general population at any given time. According to the Dermatology Online Journal, it's likely that nearly 100% of the population will develop skin tags at some point during their lifetimes.
Medical conditions like diabetes, obesity, or atherosclerosis are linked to skin tag formation, though why this occurs isn't known. Skin tags can also form during pregnancy. Detailed studies need to be done to determine exactly what causes skin tags.
Can skin tags cause complications?
Skin tags are usually asymptomatic, but if they become irritated or swollen, they can lead to pain, itching, or other discomfort. This can happen if your skin tags are in areas that are subjected to a lot of friction, like your underarms. Skin tags can also be irritated by the seams of your clothing or by jewelry, depending on their location.
These tumors can also have a psychological impact on sufferers. You may feel self-conscious about your skin tags, especially if they're in a visible location like your neck.
While other types of benign skin tumors can undergo malignant transformation, this fortunately isn't a concern for skin tags. Skin tags won't become cancerous, so discomfort and cosmetic concerns are all you need to worry about.
How are skin tags treated?
Your dermatologist may surgically remove your skin tags. A scalpel may be used to shave away the lesions, or tiny scissors can be used to clip the base of the skin tags. This process is uncomfortable, but it's not usually painful enough to require anesthesia.
Cryotherapy can also be used to remove them. Cryotherapy uses extremely low temperatures to freeze your skin tags and destroy them, though the downside of this treatment is that the surrounding skin will also be damaged.
If your skin tags are causing discomfort or cosmetic problems, find a dermatologist through a website like http://ADCderm.com to get them removed.
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