Skin Tags

While skin tags can occur anywhere on the body, they’re most commonly found in the areas where the skin folds, for example the neck, underarms, groin, thighs, eyelids, and the areas of skin under the breasts and buttocks.

Skin tags are common in both men and in women, and they tend to occur in individuals who:

• Are over the age of 50;
• Are obese, and thus have more skin folds; or
• Have type II diabetes.

Sometimes, pregnant women develop skin tags, and this is thought to be a result of the increases in hormones and weight during pregnancy, however it is possible to develop a skin tag for no reason at all.

In most instances, a skin tag will resolve on its own in a matter of weeks or months, usually painlessly.

Skin tags are harmless, and they don’t usually cause any pain or discomfort on their own, but depending on where they are located, they might get caught on clothing or jewellery, or feel uncomfortable when tight clothing causes friction.

If this happens, they can bleed, and feel tender. For this reason, and because the appearance of skin tags can affect self-esteem, many people consider having them removed.

There are some so-called treatments advertised for skin tags, but you should never undergo anything without first checking it with a medical expert, like the GP, even if these treatments involve going to see someone who claims to be qualified.

People with skin tags should also be wary that there are many websites that purport to offer natural remedies to skin tags, such as the application of tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice, but there is no scientific evidence to support these as actual remedies. Some websites even suggest dangerous ‘DIY treatment’ for skin tags (for example, using dental floss to cut off the blood flow, or applying a chemical peel to the skin), and these can have very serious complications such as bleeding, chemical burns and infection, so don’t ever try a DIY method of removing a skin tag.

Always seek medical advice, or discuss it with a pharmacist before attempting any at-home method of skin tag removal.

They don’t tend to be sore or painful, and someone who has a skin tag may not notice it unless it is pointed out to them.

While skin tags might look similar to warts, the chief differences are that skin tags:

• Have a smooth and soft texture, whereas warts tend to have a rougher, more irregular surface.
• Hang off the skin, while warts are usually either only slightly raised or are flat to the skin;
• Are not contagious, whereas warts tend to spread very easily.

If a skin tag has a long enough stalk that it can become twisted, it’s possible that it could turn black due to a lack of blood flow to the skin. If this happens, it may resolve on its own, but if it does not heal, or there are signs of infection, such as:

• Heat emanating from the wound;
• The appearance of pus;
• Redness and soreness around the area that might spread;
• A fever

It is essential to visit the GP or urgent care, as it might require antibiotic treatment.