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Skin tags are soft pieces of flesh that may be stuck to the body or hanging loose like a peduncle. They may also be known as fibroma molluscum, soft fibroma, fibroma pendulum, etc. Skin tags are pretty common, especially in middle-aged individuals, regardless of gender. In fact, 46% of U.S. citizens have skin tags.
Skin tags are skin tumors, which are usually benign and thus, you may not have to be worried. They are commonly found in skin folds, such as the neck and armpits. They are usually not dangerous, but it is best to get a skin tag checked out to be on the safe side. A lot of people may also opt for skin tag removal for aesthetic reasons. However, it is best to research and find trustworthy medical professionals to perform the procedure, such as Steady Care Medical.
A quick Google search will tell you about the various ways to get rid of skin tags. A skin tag is connected to your body and you should not be careful about the ways to get rid of it. If you attempt to remove it at home, you could cause some skin problems. On the slight chance that your skin tag is cancerous, removing it at home may spread cancer further, rather than removing it. So, to avoid such mishaps, we will talk about how you can get rid of skin tags safely, and common questions related to it in this blog.
A skin tag may look like a raised skin surface, which may be the same color as the individual’s skin tone or slightly brownish/ grayish. They can be small and round or irregular, large, flattened, etc. Thus there is no way a skin tag “normally” looks, as each may have its own appearance.
Skin tags are commonly found in places where clothes rub a lot of places may get scratched often. However, it is also common for them to go unnoticed in places like the back. So, if you find a medium or large skin tag, chances are that it has been on you for a while, as they usually start small.
Skin tags are the result of cells growing in the top layers of the skin, developing when the skin rubs against objects or itself. Therefore, they are common in overweight people or pregnant women. However, they will most likely disappear after the pregnant woman gives birth. People with type-II diabetes may also develop skin tags as people with too much insulin are susceptible to skin tags.
Now that you are familiar with how skin tags feel and what may be the cause behind them let’s look at safe ways to remove them from your body.
The only way to safely get rid of skin tags is by going to a professional to perform the process. They may opt for one of the following ways:
A cauterization is a great option if you want your skin tags to be gone in one sitting. The process consists of the doctor using a tool to burn away the cells that make up the skin tag. The tool is usually small, so you can rest assured the surrounding area won’t be affected. The skin cells will die, causing the skin tag to instantly fall off. Thus, it is a quick and easy procedure that does not require a follow-up.
For recovery, it will take a week or two for the area’s redness to go away. However, this time may be more or less depending on the size of your skin tag. The healing area will develop a scab so make sure you don’t touch or scratch it, as that would cause scarring.
Cryotherapy is a common treatment for skin tags and warts that involves freezing them to kill the skin cells. The procedure only lasts for a few minutes and is also pretty comfortable. Afterward, the frozen skin tag will painlessly fall within 7 – 14 days. This method will also result in scabbing, so you must take the necessary precautions.
The upsides to this method are low chances of side effects and a short recovery period, which lasts for about 7 – 10 days. You may find some redness in the treated area, but it is best to not intervene.
Ligation refers to the process of cutting off blood supply to a skin tag, causing it to fall off. This may take some time as it is supposed to work over the course of a few days. However, the procedure can be sped up and performed without complications when you visit a professional. Due to its easy nature, people often perform ligation at home, which puts them at risk of inflammation, infection, bleeding, etc.
If you do not interrupt the ligation or the healing process, it will result in minimal scarring and easy healing.
Excision refers to the surgical removal of a skin tag with a scalpel. For obvious reasons, you should not attempt this at home.
The healing process will last for 10 – 14 days and involve scabbing, which you mustn’t pick at. Let your skin heal naturally without any intervention so as to not prolong the healing process.
Also Read: Common Skin Tag Myths
Now, you may have some knowledge regarding the procedures to help remove skin tags. However, you cannot simply pick the one you like the most. When you visit a skin specialist, they will examine your skin tag and determine the method that would work best on it.
Laser removal is another suitable option, apart from those mentioned above. However, it is not that popular as it only works well for small skin tags.
Also, remember that getting a skin tag checked should be your priority as removing it is usually an aesthetic-based decision. If you are worried that your skin tag may be cancerous, click here to know more about the topic.
