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Skin Tags & Tabs

Skin Tags (also known as “skin tabs” or barnacles)

Skin tags, medically termed as acrochordons or fibroepithelial polyps (FEP), are just a tiny, usually benign bit of flesh connected to the underlying skin by a thin stalk.  

Discovering a tiny skin tag (or several skin tags) on the neck or under the arm can be alarming. However, while unsightly or annoying, skin tags are almost always harmless. Skin tags are benign growths that contain collagen, a type of protein found throughout the body, and blood vessels. Skin tags don't require any treatment. Although skin tags are technically considered to be a type of tumor, they are generally not cancerous. 

Skin tags often appear to hang off of the skin. They can vary in appearance but they are typically: skin colored or brown (or pink or red, especially after irritation)

What causes skin tags on your body?

Skin tags occur when extra cells grow in the top layers of the skin. They tend to develop when the skin rubs against itself, so are more common in people who are overweight and therefore have folds of skin. Skin tags grow both in men and women but are more common in older people and people living with type 2 diabetes.  If you get skin tags, it doesn't necessarily mean you have diabetes.

However, if skin tags do appear, it's a good idea to see your dermatologist. They may recommend testing for diabetes. But remember, generally tabs and tags can become even more common as people age.

There are rare cases where skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and even melanoma, can mimic a skin tag.

It is advisable to see a dermatologist if a skin tag starts to increase in size, becomes painful and/or bleeds, or you suddenly develop multiple skin tags. These often look like a cluster of skin tissue extending out from a tiny stem. They're sometimes darker and may resemble a raised mole. Most skin tags are between 1-5 mm, but some can grow as large as a few centimeters.

What other concerns may there be about skin tags?

One study in the Indian Journal of Dermatology suggested that skin tags may be a sign of underlying heart issues. This might be another reason to have a skin tag (and your heart) checked by your doctor or dermatologist.

Why can't I remove a skin tag myself with scissors or clippers?

While these protuberances might be small, cutting off a skin tag with scissors yourself, can lead to infection or uncontrollable bleeding.  And may require a trip to the ER. (You'd be surprised at how much a large skin tag can bleed if not cauterized or frozen by a professional.) It can also hurt — a lot.
Your dermatologist might snip the tag off with sharp, sterile scissors or freeze or burn it with a special laser or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). If the tag is small enough, you'll feel no more than a pinprick. If it's larger, the doc might rub a numbing medication on your skin so you don't feel it.

Can nail polish remover remove skin tags?

Removing skin tags with nail polish or nail polish remover isn't safe for your skin. In fact, doctors don't recommend putting nail polish on your skin for any reason. Skin tags contain blood vessels. That means that any method used to remove them from your body needs to take place in a sterile environment.

Generally skin tags and tabs do not affect your health.

They’re (almost) always benign; however, skin tags can be unsightly. Especially If they are in areas like your face and neck, skin tabs or tags might make you self-conscious. A skin tag removal procedure from a dermatologist could safely remove them and bring back your natural beauty and self-confidence. 

Derm Texas provides a board certified dermatologist along with a welcoming, professionally trained staff, specifically in skin tag and tab removal treatment. We offer the latest technology in laser and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)  instruments. You are invited to meet us and look forward to seeing you.  Simply click the "contact us" box below to schedule an appointment.

The above provides general information and discussion about medical, cosmetic and surgical dermatology. The words and other content provided in the information above, and in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately-licensed dermatologist or other health care worker. Derm Texas images, brochures, descriptions of procedures, websites and other advertising material are intended solely for illustration examples of our services and products and do not represent our patient or any individual or results.