The Need to Know About Skin Tags: What Causes Skin Tags?

Although skin tags are not dangerous or painful, they remain as a source of discomfort for many. That is why those who have these growths are so eager to get rid of them as soon as they begin to develop. Before learning how to remove these unwanted tumors safely and painlessly, we first will answer a few questions about skin tags. Let’s get started!

What Are Skin Tags?

Skin tags are known as small, benign tumors that appear as brownish bumps that stem from fleshy stalks (peduncles). Medically known under the term as “acrochordons,” these growths are also called “skin tags.”

These growths can range in size from a small (2 mm) size to a massive (5 cm). Skin tags are known to affect nearly everyone at least once in a lifetime and are a normal thing to experience. Both males and females alike are prone to developing such lesions throughout their lifetime.

Although some grow on children, skin tags are often found on adults.

In most cases, these undesirable skin lesions occur with obese people or pregnant women. However, the good news is, skin tags that develop during pregnancy are not considered dangerous and can require treatment to remove them only if they become bothersome. Also, these skin lesions can easily be removed by a dermatologist in one visit.

Where Do They Occur?

Skin tags vary from one to hundreds over time, most of which typically form on the neck, eyelids, arms, and armpits (mostly in preteens due to sports activities). These growths may also develop under the female breasts and folds of the groin. Skin tags are not considered a threat, but despite them not causing discomfort, skin tags can still be very annoying to deal with. In many cases, they can quickly become irritated if clothes or jewelry rub against them.

Skin tags may also occur in less noticeable areas of the body like the tongue, on the shaft of the penis (penile skin tags), inside the vagina or anus (also known as hemorrhoids or otherwise called hemorrhoidal skin tags), or even on the nipples (both male and female). There are multiple areas on the body where these annoying growths can appear.

However, brownish growths that form in or around the genital, perianal, and anal areas may be related to genital warts that are confused with genital skin tags. Vaginal skin tags or skin tag-like bumps that develop on the scrotum are uncommon because those lesions tend to occur in dry areas. Some skin tags may develop at the external genitalia/ vulva (labia majora and labia minora), and if irritated, they can become itchy and sore.

What Causes Skin Tags?

The most common and probable cause of a skin tag developing is friction. The growths often appear where skin rubs against skin or where skin rubs against clothing such as on the neck, stomach, and back — typically hidden under the folds of skin.

Because skin tags typically occur in the skins creases, clusters of collagen and blood vessels that are trapped in the subcutaneous tissue can also trigger growths of these lesions.

Among other causes, age, heredity, and obesity are also known to increase the likelihood of developing such tumors. That means there is a higher chance of you getting them if:

• You reach maturity
• Both your parents and grandparents had skin tags (tags around the eyes are most common in this category)
• You’re overweight

Are Skin Tags Cancerous or Contagious?

Skin tags are not considered as cutaneous malignant conditions, meaning they have no potential of cancer. However, if they increase in size abnormally, bleed, or display colors such as red, brown, or black, you should see a doctor. In rare instances, skin tags may transform into a cancerous lesion.

In terms of being contagious, skin tags are not. It is for that reason that skin tags are set apart from warts (which can be contagious). While warts can sometimes be cancerous and are known to be very infectious because of a virus called HPV (human papillomavirus), skin tags are not considered transmissible.

However, if you notice that your skin tags are displaying unusual characteristics, or you experience unusual symptoms, you should contact your doctor to diagnose the possibility of a more severe skin condition. For instance, moles, warts, and skin cancers are known to mimic a skin tag.

How to Remove Skin Tags

In often cases, dermatologists recommend the removal of skin tags when they become irritated or infected (may be caused by shaving), or represent a source of discomfort for a person. However, skin tags often get removed for aesthetic reasons. Some skin tags may also fall off naturally on their own, but most popular skin tag removal methods require surgical intervention.

Unfortunately, some insurance companies or health care systems do not cover skin tag removal. Be sure to check with your insurance provider for more information if you require skin tag removal. There are also some plans that may pay for the procedure if the tag is in an area that might be affected, causing fissure, bleeding, or inflammation.

Treatments to remove skin tags include:

• Cryotherapy (freeze them with liquid nitrogen)
• Excision (cut them off)
• Electrosurgery (burn them off)

Non-surgical Skin Tag Treatments

There are many skin tag removal products on the current market that might work. Most of these products are made with active and inactive ingredients, including essential oils such as Thuja occidentalis (known as white cedar) or Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil).

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HaloDerm, for example, is considered to be a favorite skin tag removal cream among many that you can buy from Amazon. Micro TagBand Skin Tag Remove Device is another recommend removal cream as it works to cut the blood supply of a skin tag which will make the tags dry up and flake away.

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If you are looking for a topical homeopathic remedy, consider the Skim Away Skin Tag Remover as another option.

Before you decide to buy an over the counter cream to treat skin tags, you may want to look at a few product reviews first. It always useful to see what customers report about a specific product; after all, some treatments are not worth using. You may even want to look at pics and review the results too.

The primary key to remove a skin tag effectively and painlessly is by doing it naturally. Organic remedies like all-natural plant extracts may not provide results as quickly as surgery would, but they are safe and effective.

Natural Treatments for Skin Tags

Contrary to what you may discover on the internet, the best at-home skin tag removal solutions do not include cutting them off with scissors/nail clippers or using nail polish remover. It would be best if you didn’t try those options as they could cause infection.

These skin growths can be removed at home with dental floss wrapped around them as tight as possible. Once the supply of blood is cut off, the tags are supposed to fall off after just a few days. Other home treatments include duct tape, Compound W, or vitamin E oil, but there is no real evidence that they are useful for removing them.

So, what is considered the best natural remedies to remove skin tags effectively? Surprisingly, there are three products that you may have in your kitchen cabinets that make for great at-home all-natural skin tag removal treatments.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is one of the most efficient and painless removers you can use at home to effectively remove those unwanted skin tags. This ingredient also cures many other types of skin conditions.

To remove the tags with the oil, use a cotton swab soaked in water, add a total of three drops of the oil to the swab and gently apply it to the skin twice daily.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Another popular skin tag removal home remedy is apple cider vinegar. Few people are aware that this natural remedy is secretly a beauty weapon. From both cleansing and detoxifying purposes, apple cider vinegar has been used as a medical remedy for many centuries. Its antiseptic properties make it the ideal skin tag removal treatment. Plus, it’s fantastic at tackling blemishes and breakouts.

Apply the vinegar to a cotton swab and administer it over the area over a two to four week period until the skin tag vanishes. Be aware that the vinegar can cause a stinging sensation when applied, but don’t worry, this is a regular occurrence. The acidic properties within the vinegar will destroy all tissues in skin growth.

Lemon Juice

Lastly, we have lemon juice. This all-natural remedy successfully removes skin tags by drying them out.

Apply the juice daily to the affected area and leave it on to dry. Over the next few days, the tag should dry out and eventually fall off. Be sure to not step out into the sun after applying lemon juice to avoid tanning.

Skin Tag Prevention

If you want to learn how to prevent skin tags, then you should consider why they form in the first place. Many doctors believe that middle-aged, obese adults are most prone to these tumors. Because obesity and diabetes are both linked to the development of skin tags and thought to increase the risk of developing such skin lesions, the key to preventing them is a healthy diet.

Also, as mentioned above, most skin tags are caused by friction between skin to skin contact or clothing. Preventive measures include wearing loose-fitting clothing and avoiding jewelry items that can affect your neck area.

However, don’t forget that with most things in life, moderation is a crucial part of one’s well being. We understand it’s not easy to modify both your diet and lifestyle, but it seems that getting on the right track has more benefits, with one being to prevent the development of skin tags.