Have you suddenly come across a spot on your body where the skin seems to be soft and almost hanging or protruding from the surface of your skin? If so, you could be one of many who have developed a skin tag. Skin tags are simply benign tumors of the skin, and are relatively common. They can occur anywhere on your body, including your eyelids, groin, armpits, upper chest, under the breasts, and on the neck.
While they aren't usually a cause for alarm, they can be the cause of embarrassment or even pain depending on where they are located on the body. This is exactly why so many people choose to go about removing them.
So how exactly do you go about removing a skin tag? Let’s take a closer look.
Over-the-Counter Treatments
Depending on where your skin tag is, and the size of it, you may actually be able to remove it yourself at home. There are a number of different over-the-counter treatments available. Typically, the way they work is that they freeze the skin tag, and then you need to wait anywhere between a week and 10 days for the skin tag to fall right off. Again, the effectiveness of this treatment depends on the location and size of the skin tag. Obviously, you can’t be using this kind of treatment for a skin tag that is on your eyelid, for example.
If you are curious as to whether an over-the-counter treatment would be right for you, it’s a good idea to speak to your doctor first before you purchase a kit at the pharmacy.
Visit a Dermatologist
For those who have larger skin tags, perhaps multiple skin tags, or skin tags in places that are more sensitive, a good option can be to visit a dermatologist. They can examine the skin tag closer and offer a treatment plan that will be safe and effective.
Take for example Soma Skin & Laser, a dermatologist in Short Hills, NJ. They rely on a number of different methods, choosing the one that best fits your skin tag. These methods include scissor removal, cauterization, cryosurgery with liquid nitrogen, and excision.
Does the Skin Tag Have to Be Removed?
As for whether or not the skin tag has to be removed, that depends on a few different things. Sometimes the skin tag is small and in a location that doesn’t cause embarrassment or discomfort. In those cases, there is no real need to remove it.
For those who have a skin tag that rubs against something such as the waistline on your pants, or where your bra sits, it can cause rubbing, pain, and even bleeding. This constant source of irritation is an excellent reason to go ahead and have the skin tag removed.
A Relatively Common Skin Issue
All in all, skin tags are usually not something to be overly concerned about, and are relatively common. It’s just a matter of whether or not it is giving you a reason to go ahead and have it removed.
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