Skin tags are common among people and generally occur at folding points like the neck, armpits, thighs and eyelids. They consist of collagen and blood vessels surrounded by an outer layer of skin. They are painless, and non-cancerous but have an irritating experience. Many people usually have them removed for aesthetic purposes. They can look like warts but skin tags are usually:
- smooth and soft (warts tend to be rougher with an irregular surface)
- knobbly and hang off the skin (warts are usually slightly raised or flat)
- not contagious (warts spread very easily, so a sudden outbreak or cluster of growths is more likely to be warts)
Causes of Skin Tags
Skin tags are usually prevalent in obese individuals, diabetics, and pregnant women. They start out small, and grow slightly developing color and size. The exact causes of skin tags are still unknown.
How can we treat skin tags?
Skin tags are harmless, and not contagious at all. Skin tags are small, soft, skin-coloured growths on your skin. They can vary in colour and size – from a few millimetres up to 5cm wide. Friction can cause them to itch and bleed that might lead to an infection. People prefer to eliminate them owing to their irregular appearance. Here are a few ways of removing skin tags:
- Cryotherapy: Freezing the growth of skin tags with fluid nitrogen.
- Surgical Evacuation: Removing the skin tag with the help of scissors or a surgical blade.
- Electrosurgery: Burning off the skin tag with high-recurrence electrical energy.
How to Prevent Skin Tags
Skin tags often come uninvited but we can reduce the chances of having them by making few changes such as:
- Skin tags are more likely to occur in an obese and overweight body, therefore take measures to stay healthy by planning your diet efficiently having low saturated fat and calories, and exercising thrice a week for at least 30 to 45 minutes.
- To prevent friction, keep all areas of the skin folds clean and dry. Use products like dry wipes or power, especially after a bath or workout session.
- Avoiding wearing heavy ornaments on the neck to prevent skin irritation
- Prefer using soft, loose, and breathable fabrics to prevent the discomfort that irritates your skin.
- People having diabetes might develop Skin tags, therefore, be more considerate towards maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Written by
Amna Sheikh
(sheikh_amna@outlook.com)
