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Skin tags, usually small and harmless flaps of soft tissue, are one of the most common complaints seen by local dermatologists. Many people don?t realize that they?re simple to remove if they ever become a cosmetic issue or rub against clothing or jewelry, says Kristen Albright, a dermatology physician assistant at the Dermatology Center of Williamsburg. ?
?A lot of these patients are the happiest people after treatment,? Albright says. ?Many weren?t feeling good about their appearance, or they were just tired of having their skin tags snag on things. You don?t need to worry about them if they?re not bothering you, but if they are, it?s generally a very easy fix.? ?
About 46 percent of Americans will develop at least one skin tag during their lifetime, according to the National Institutes of Health. The growths are more common in pregnant women and middle-aged people who are obese or diabetic, likely due to a combination of hormonal changes, genetics and possibly the friction of skin rubbing against skin. With an increase in obesity and diabetes nationwide, they conceivably could become even more common in upcoming years.?
Also known as acrochordons, skin tags often are oval in shape, flesh-colored or slightly darker, a few millimeters long and attached to the body by a tiny stalk. Common locations include the neck, inner thigh, groin and under the armpits and breasts. Skin tags can grow alone or in clusters, and in rare cases they can reach a half-inch or more in length?the size of a grape, say, rather than a grain of rice.?
?While typically painless, acrochordons can become irritated by friction or if a person nicks them while shaving or washing up, ? says Melissa Schwarzschild, a dermatologist with Richmond Dermatology & Laser Specialists. Schwarzschild sees patients with skin tags almost daily and uses the three main methods of removal, all in-office procedures: snipping them off with surgical scissors, freezing them with liquid nitrogen or burning them with a cauterization tool.?
While freezing is faster, both that and cauterization can leave tiny light spots on surrounding skin, especially in patients with darker complexions. ?I tend to use snipping the most because you get the best cosmetic result, and it usually is just a tiny pinch,? Schwarzschild says. ?If a skin tag is small, in fact, I won?t even need to numb the skin. Usually the area will heal very quickly, in just a couple of days.??
About 46 percent of Americans will develop at least one skin tag during their lifetime, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Most people can take care of a problem in a single appointment unless they have a large number of tags, although skin tags can re-grow in the same spot or nearby. Schwarzschild doesn?t send the removed skin off for biopsy unless a tag is bigger than what is considered normal size and she can?t be sure it?s not an irritated mole.? ?
The bad news is that health insurance almost never covers removal procedures. The cost varies but generally falls in the $100 to $200 range, Albright estimates. While some people try over-the-counter treatments similar to wart-removal kits, she and other specialists are generally skeptical and warn that cutting off a tag at home can lead to bleeding and possibly infection. ?
Most people probably can?t prevent skin tags, but maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthfully and avoiding tight clothing can?t hurt. Dermatologists also encourage people to consult a doctor as soon as a growth becomes troublesome?as well as anytime they aren?t sure if a new or changing skin growth is dangerous. ?If anything is bothering you,? Schwarzschild says, ?my advice is to get it looked at.??
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Source: http://www.thehealthjournals.com/2013/03/understanding-skin-tags-cosmetic-concern-or-health-risk/
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