Top 5 facts about skin tags
Skin tags are a very common skin lesion and is basically a small
section of skin that hangs from the surrounding area. They are
benign lesions, so are non cancerous and rarely cause any
damage, problems or discomfort. However, the most common places
for skin tags are around the neck, eyelids, armpits and upper
chest. Because of this you may find that your clothes rub
against them regularly, and in some cases this may cause some
pain and an inflammation of the area. This is still nothing to
worry about but you may want to consider having skin tags
removed if this is the case. They are more common in women than
men and middle aged people than young people but anyone can get
them.
1- A skin tag is purely skin. There is an overlap of outer skin
that encases an inner layer of skin. For this reason they are
rarely harmful and any paid or discomfort from skin tags is
usually because they have been rubbed or irritated regularly.
2- It is most common to find skin tags around the neck, upper
chest, shoulders, armpits, eyelids and the groin. Wearing a
collar or walking can skin tags that are in the wrong place and
this is why most people consider removal. The removal is a very
simple procedure that in some cases can be completed by your
physician.
3- A skin tag can be removed by using liquid nitrogen to freeze
it off or through a simple surgical procedure. This procedure
will only usually involve a local anesthetic to numb the area
around the skin tags although depending on the place and the
size of skin tags a general anesthetic may be the preferred
option.
4- Skin tags are benign, meaning they are non cancerous. It is
very unusual for a biopsy to be performed on skin tags but this
may be an option that your physician wants to look at. A biopsy
means that a small part (or the whole area) of the skin tags are
sent away to the laboratory to be tested.
5- While the operation is painless and very straightforward
there is no need to have skin tags removed unless they are
getting rubbed or irritated on a regular basis. You should
seriously consider whether it is absolutely necessary before
requesting a removal.