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A skin tag is a small growth of flesh commonly referred to as a “pacifier.” It can be the same color as the skin or slightly pigmented and is simply a small ball of flesh that is attached to the rest of the body by a stalk called a peduncle.
Small benign tumors that usually do not cause any complications, skin tags can appear anywhere on the body, but they are mostly found in places where the skin forms fold: the neck, armpits, groin, under the breasts, sometimes on the eyelids.
Even if they are sometimes disturbing and unsightly, skin tags are perfectly harmless.
What are the causes of the skin tag?
The exact causes that cause the skin tag to appear are unknown.
Who is affected? What are the risk factors?
Almost 4 in 10 people have one or more tags, regardless of gender and age. We notice that these small growths tend to develop more frequently in some people:
- People obesity and overweight
- the diabetics
- The pregnant women
- People whose immediate family also has skin tags
- Adults after 40
Other factors can be involved: skin irritation, exposure to the sun, friction.
What about contagion?
The skin tag is not contagious.
What are the main symptoms of the skin tag?
The only symptom of the skin tag is the appearance of the characteristic small ball of flesh on the body.
How to receive a diagnosis?
A simple physical examination by a general practitioner or a dermatologist confirms the presence of a skin tag.
What are the potential complications?
There are no real complications associated with skin tags. In some cases, the growth can be embarrassing and uncomfortable, for example if it is hung frequently with a razor, a collar or a bra strap. A skin tag that gets caught often can become tender and even bleed slightly.
What is the treatment for the skin tag?
Since the skin tag is not dangerous, it does not need to be treated for medical reasons. Sometimes you want to get rid of it if it causes discomfort or if it is very visible.
There are several effective treatments to remove the skin tag permanently:
- Cauterization
- Cryotherapy (with liquid nitrogen)
- Surgery
- Electrocoagulation
You can also find kits in pharmacies to get rid of skin tags yourself: this is a product to be applied daily to the growth until it falls off. Before using such a product, it is always recommended to consult a healthcare professional to ensure that it is indeed a skin tag and not something else such as a mole , wart or skin. early skin cancer .
Is it possible to prevent the skin tag?
As the causes of skin tag development are unknown, it is also unclear what to do to prevent it!