Wonder what that’s tiny, soft piece bubble-like that’s hanging on your skin?
It’s called “skin tag” and it goes by other names such as Templeton skin tags, fibroepithelial polyp, fibroma molluscum, fibroma pendulum, cutaneous papilloma, cutaneous tag, soft fibroma, and acrochordon.
It is very common and harmless, and it normally comes out after midlife. It affects both men and women and is normally caused by obesity or by a friction of the skin to another skin or garment.
What Is A Skin Tag?
Although unpleasant, skin tags are noncancerous and are made up of nerve cells, fat cells, epidermis, and core of fibers and ducts. It appears all over the body, especially on the eyelid, groin, armpits, under the breast, neck, and upper chest. It is usually painless and almost goes unnoticed unless it is rubbed or twisted. If this happens, a blood clot develops and the hanging skin may become painful.
Skin tags begin as a tiny bump and may stay as it is for a longer time; however, some can grow up to 5cm. It can be color flesh or brown with a smooth or irregular surface.
What Causes Skin Tags?
Skin tags target both men and women. The exact cause of skin tags are still not determined but since it is common in the folds or creases of the skin, it can be caused by friction of the skin against another skin or garment. It happens when chunks of blood vessels and collagen were caught inside a bigger layer of the skin. Meanwhile, some people who are susceptible to having these bumps may have inherited them. It can also come from obesity, during pregnancy, or diabetes.
Skin Tag Removal Treatment
Skin tags are usually painless and harmless and the common reason for its removal is because of its appearance. Some people just don’t like it especially when it rubs against a clothing or jewelry or to prevent irritation when shaving. Nonetheless, there are ways to remove this tiny bump, such as:
Surgery
Although there are DIYs popping all over the Internet, removing the skin tag should only be done by a trained medical professional, dermatologist, or a skin doctor. Here are the options you have when you want an invasive procedure:
Cauterization: Using electrolysis, the skin tag is removed by burning it off
Cryosurgery: A probe that contains liquid nitrogen is used to freeze the skin tag
Excision: A scalpel is used to literally remove the skin tag
Ligation: The skin tag is removed by interrupting the supply of blood to it
Take Note: If your concern is the skin tag in your eyelid or anywhere near the eye area, you may ask your ophthalmologist or a special eye doctor to remove it. Again, do not attempt to remove skin tags on your own as this may cause irritation and infection.
Over-The-Counter (OTC) Solutions (OTC
If you’re not comfortable with the idea of burning, freezing, or using a scalpel to remove skin tags, one painless way to remove it is by using OTC solutions. These are available at the pharmacies or you can purchase this online. It works by freezing the skin tag so that it will fall off by itself after a week or so. It’s almost the same as the ones used in removing warts; however, it’s still recommended to consult your doctor first before taking these treatments. Also, be sure that the OTC solution is safe and authentic.