1. What are skin tags?
Skin tags are noncancerous growths of the skin that appear mainly on eyelids, armpits, under the breast, groin, upper chest, and neck. They are formed of a core of fibers and ducts, nerve and fat cells covered by the epidermis, and, in some cases, aren’t even perceived. They don’t evolve or change and it is common for them to fall off painlessly.
2. How can I remove my skin tags?
Sometimes, people who have skin tags feel self-conscious about their appearance and opt to remove them. When these growths are located in areas where skin friction happens, they may be removed due to irritation. However, if you’re bothered by your skin tags, look for a dermatologist that will remove them without any risk of bleeding or inflammation. At Skin Expert Clinic, Dr. Yassine offers several procedures for skin tag removal such as burning them off using electrolysis (cauterization), freezing them with liquid nitrogen (cryosurgery), or cutting them off with a scalpel (excision).
3. What are the Risk factors for skin tags?
Obesity, pregnancy (change of hormones), diabetes, and certain types of human papilloma virus have been related to skin tags. Other causes are sex-steroid imbalance such as in levels of estrogen and progesterone or having close family members with skin tags. Some studies also link skin tags to dyslipidemia, hypertension, and elevated high-sensitive C-reactive protein as well as suggest that they may work as an external warning sign for insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease.
