What Causes Skin Tags?
Skin tags can appear anywhere on the body, including the underarms, thighs, bra line, neck, and eyelids. They are most common in skin folds and friction areas, and your chances of getting them are increased if your parents have them. Skin tags are not dangerous, consisting of normal skin and fat tissue. They can, however, be irritating or itchy or become swollen and painful. The cause of skin tags is not always known; however, they are easily removed.
- Skin tags grow from a thinner stalk of skin hanging off the body.
- They are mostly skin tone but can be darker.
- They are usually millimetres long but can grow to centimetres!
- Some people get one lesion, while others get multiples (sometimes hundreds).
- Skin tags affect about 25% of people starting in their 50s.
Skin tags affect both men and women at the same rate. However, a few factors are linked to the risk of developing them.
- Being overweight increases the risk of skin tags simply because the skin is more likely to rub against itself or clothing. For example, under the arms, between the thighs, under the bra area, or on the neck where necklaces rub.
- Pregnancy increases the risk of friction and rubbing and makes you more prone to an increase in the number and size of existing skin tags.
- Diabetes makes people more prone to skin tags, but there is no clear explanation for why this occurs.
Skin Tag Removal
Their size and location determine the best way to remove skin tags on the body. Skin tags, seborrhoeic keratoses, senile warts, and cosmetic mole removal are the many conditions our doctors treat. Skin tag removal is easy with a radiofrequency surgical loupe, no stitches, and a simple dressing procedure safe for all skin types. Other methods for removing skin tags include diathermy, cryotherapy, and freezing.
Any pigmented moles removed for cosmetic reasons, on the other hand, must be sent for pathology testing. Therefore, it would be best not to allow anyone to remove moles unless they had been cleared by a skin cancer doctor first. On the other hand, skin tags and seborrhoeic keratosis go through a different procedure.
The Ellman Surgitron with radiofrequency shave is ideal for removing small and large skin tags. Unfortunately, because skin tag removal is classified as cosmetic, Medicare does not cover the removal of these benign lesions.
Removal of Large Skin Tags
Skin tags larger than a couple of millimetres in diameter have a broader base. Diathermy, radiofrequency shave, or surgical snipping at the bottom are usually the best ways to remove without bleeding under local anaesthesia. You’ll end up with a shallow sore that needs to be covered to heal but has a good chance of not recurring.
Neurofibromas and seborrheic keratoses are harmless skin conditions that can look like skin tags. The good news is that both can be treated similarly to skin tag removal.
Removal of Small Skin Tags
Skin tags can be removed by freezing. This stings briefly; you can expect a blister and redness, and the lesion will heal.
What to Expect with Skin Tag Removal
Our doctors attempt scarless removal using the Ellman Radio Frequency. Removing a lesion without leaving a scar is impossible, but Ellman strives for imperceptibility. Skin tag removal, step by step:
- Our doctors will examine your skin lesions to see if they qualify for Ellman Surgitron removal.
- Local anaesthetic is applied before the procedure to allow the loupe excision without discomfort.
- Healing takes between 7 and 14 days.
- Scarring and a slight colour difference may occur at the site of treatment. However, this is indistinguishable with very narrow base skin tags.
- In most cases, one treatment is sufficient to remove each lesion, though more may be required in some cases.
- Our Doctors also offer seborrheic keratosis removal and cosmetic mole removal.
Book Online or Call 07 3350 5447 to book a consultation with our Doctors.
Skin Tag Removal at Home
Many sites on the internet have recommendations for the removal of skin tags at home. They fall into three camps:
- Cutting most likely will not work as you will not get the root of the skin tag; there can be significant bleeding afterwards and a small risk of infection.
- Tieing off the tag with dental floss or other fine thread. Sometimes this will work, but you must go through inflammation, swelling, and discomfort. This approach is not likely to impact larger skin tags.
- Although harmless-will, cider vinegar or tea tree oil does not work as you need to remove the skin tag physically. No harm in trying this, although it can cause irritation and redness.
Book Online or Call 07 3350 5447 to book a consultation with our Doctors.