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Six Facts on Cutaneous Skin Tags

Skin tags are a pesky skin imperfection that affects many people. With warm weather approaching, it’s good to know your options with skin tags. They are raised, small in size and come out of the skin in a thin, stalk shape. Though typically harmless, at times they can be cancerous, but the chances are slim. Here are six facts you need to know if you have recently had a skin tag appear:

Skin tags usually appear due to friction.

Skin tags typically appear after the constant friction between a fold. Therefore, they are most common to appear under the arms and other areas of constant contact.

Skin tags are typically only cosmetic

Skin tags don’t usually come with any ill side effects other than appearance.

They should be painless

With the minor exception of skin tags that are twisted on their blood supply or scratched, your skin tags should be painless. Those that do get irritated may end up turning red or black or bleed in general.

It starts small

They start as a small bump on the skin that you may think is a mole. They attach themselves under the skin and then expand to be a skin tag.

They can be removed

Though skin tags are a cosmetic imperfection, removal by a doctor is possible. Removal can vary by freezing off, tying off, burning off or cutting off. a Doctor or professional should perform these processes.

You should not do an at home removal 

At home removal may sound tempting as the spot may be of extreme bother to you; however, it is important to know that skin tags are not easily removed. They are known for their ability to grow back after improper removal.

If you notice something that looks like a skin tag, call Knoxville Dermatology Group at 865-690-9467 and we will ensure it is safe and can discuss the removal process.

What are Skin Tags?

Skin tags can be pesky, but almost everyone will develop at least one in their lifetime. It’s possible for a person to have multiple on different parts of their skin. Although annoying, skin tags are harmless.

Skin tags normally occur where there is skin-to-skin friction or where clothing rubs against the skin – such as on the neck, underarms, groin, eyelids and upper chest. They are tiny patches of skin elevated from the regular skin surface and connected by a skin stalk. Skin tags are more prone to show up on people of middle age, overweight or suffering from diabetes. However, they can also appear on all ages and are can be passed genetically.

It is not possible to reduce your chances of getting skin tags, although weight loss can help. Additionally, the removal of skin tags isn’t necessary and usually only occurs when the skin tag is a cosmetic problem. It is possible for a doctor to remove a skin tag if it is absolutely uncomfortable for a patient to keep it.

For more information on what exactly a skin tag is or to have one removed, visit our website or call (865)690-9467.