Skin tags, also referred to as acrochordon, are common growths that appear on the skin. The condition is more common in older adults and in individuals with excessive amounts of growth hormone, according to Skinsight.com. The growths are benign and do not indicate any type of skin cancer. Unless the skin tags cause discomfort or cause concern for cosmetic reasons, no treatment is necessary.
Symptoms
Skin tags are flesh colored or a bit darker than a person's normal skin tone. The small flap of skin may appear larger at the end and hang from a thinner stalk of skin. Skin tags may occur alone or in groups. The tags do not usually cause any pain or discomfort.
Locations
Most often skin tags appear on areas of the body such as the armpits, neck and groin, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The tag may also occur in folds of the body and around the anus. A skin tag may also occur just before the opening to the ear canal, referred to as an ear tag or preauricular tag, and is most common for newborns.
Treatment
Skin tags that cause embarrassment because of their location or get irritated from clothing or jewelry rubbing on them may feel better after a physician removes the growth. To remove a skin tag, a dermatologist has several options including freezing it off, burning it off with an electrical current or cutting it off with scissors or a scalpel, according to the Cleveland Clinic. After removal, the physician may send the skin tag for a biopsy if the appearance is unusual.
Home Remedies
Individuals that do not wish to visit a physician may be able to remove a small skin tag at home. Home removal includes cutting the skin tag off with a sharp pair of manicure scissors. Applying pressure to the site after removal will help stop the bleeding. Using a piece of dental floss or thread tied around the base of the skin tag will cut off the blood supply of the growth and cause the tag to fall off in several days.
Considerations
Most often, skin tags do not cause complications. Some individuals may feel the growths are not attractive and may suffer from a poor self-image with a large number of skin tags. Skin tags in front of the ear may signify a genetic abnormality or a problem in the sinus tract, according to MedlinePlus.
