Skin tags and moles usually are benign and harmless. Skin tags are just extra pieces of skin attached by stalks that usually occur on the chest, back, armpits and breast of the elderly. Moles are growths on the skin that usually are brown or black and first appear in childhood, say doctors at the Cleveland Clinic.
Warning
Skin tags are benign pieces of skin that can easily be removed with little or no side effects. Moles can be dangerous, however, if they change in shape, size or color. Check moles for changes that fall into any of the ABCDE patterns and see a doctor. A is for asymmetry, B stands for border and C indicates color. D is for diameter and E stands for elevation. A doctor should see any mole that changes in any of these patterns.
Types of Moles
Certain types of moles are more prone to developing into cancer than others, report doctors at the Mayo Clinic. Large congenital moles present from birth can increase the risk of melanoma or skin cancer.
People who have more than 20 moles over their bodies also are at an increased risk of developing cancer. Atypical moles that are larger than one-quarter inch are often genetic and also carry increased risks of melanoma.
Treatment
Moles and skin tags are easy to remove in the doctor or dermatologist's office. The area surrounding the excess skin is numbed and the mole or skin tag is cut or frozen. Doctors typically send a sample of the mole to a lab for testing to make sure it is not cancerous.
Cutting off a mole will not cause cancer to spread if the area is malignant. Additional skin surrounding a mole may be removed if the doctor suspects cancer. In such cases, stitches may be required.
Considerations
Nonmalignant moles and skin tags do not pose any medical threat, although many may find them unsightly. Moles can have hairs growing out of them as people age. Skin tags can become uncomfortable when they rub against clothing or jewelry. Removing a mole or skin tag is a personal consideration that can help to improve a person's appearance.
Effects
Moles and skin tags can darken and grow with time, say doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Sunlight and age can also affect skin growths. Moles can change color with hormonal fluctuations over time or during pregnancy. For the most part, moles and skin tags have no side effects and usually are treated for cosmetic reasons.
