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SALT LAKE CITY — A skin tag, as defined by medicinenet.com, is a small portion of skin that appears to be attached to or protruding from normal skin. The condition is very common and usually not harmful.
The medical term for skin tags is acrochordona, but they're also called soft warts. While they can be found on any part of the body, they are most commonly found in or near the armpits and on the neck.
Skin tags vary in appearance: Some are the same color as surrounding skin, while others are hyperpigmented (darker than surrounding skin). In most cases, they are attached to the underlying skin by a small band of tissue.
Anyone can develop a skin tag, but they tend to increase in frequency as we age. They are also more common in obese persons, possibly due to increased irritation and rubbing of skin folds; and some experts believe hormonal factors may also play a role in their development.
It is extremely rare for skin tags to be cancerous, and most doctors recommend their removal only when they have become source of discomfort, or if they constitute a cosmetic problem.
Skin tags can be easily removed in the doctor's office. Some doctors will inject a small amount of a local anesthetic, and then remove the skin tag with a scalpel. Other doctors prefer freezing the skin tag, a technique sometimes used to remove warts or other benign lesions of the skin.
But as any visit to a doctor’s office can be expensive, there is a way to quickly and safely reomve skin tags at home:
- Apply ice on the skin tag until it is numb. Not only does the ice numb the site, it also constricts the blood vessels to limit bleeding.
- Clean the area with betadine for 5 to 10 seconds. Make sure the area is dry before proceeding.
- Obtain some very sharp small scissors — craft scissors are the best — and clean them with alcohol.
- Pull the skin tag away from the body with tweezers.
- Cut the skin tag off, and then apply direct pressure.
- When bleeding has slowed down or stopped, treat the area with an antibiotic ointment and cover with a bandage.
Despite the numbing, this method will hurt a little. Sometimes it’s easier to have someone other than yourself do the cutting. If you feel uncomfortable with this method, remember you can always contact your doctor to have a skin tag removed.
Once the skin tag is removed, watch the area for infection. If any redness or swelling occurs, contact your doctor.
Suzanne Carlile, "Nurse Suzy," has been a nurse since 1982. Her main focus is critical care and nursing education. She holds a master's degree in nursing, is a Certified Emergency Nurse, and a member of NNSDO Intermountain West Chapter.
