Common Skin Tags: Removal Options & When to See a Doctor
london, UK - Millions grapple with unsightly skin tags – small, benign growths that can appear anywhere on the body. These growths, starting as flat bumps and developing into small, hanging protrusions, are now being examined by dermatologists who are clarifying effective removal methods and highlighting crucial warning signs.
According to Professor Firas Al-niaimi, a London-based consultant dermatologist, common professional removal techniques include electrocautery - utilizing controlled heat to destroy the tissue while minimizing bleeding - and shave excision, which involves surgically cutting the tag off at its base. Electrocautery is frequently enough preferred for larger tags due to its ability to control bleeding. Cryotherapy, freezing the tag off with liquid nitrogen, is another option.
Removal is generally considered cosmetic and is not covered by the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. private removal costs range from approximately £50 to £175 per tag.
Dr. Khan emphasizes these are typically quick,low-risk procedures that don’t require anaesthetic. While a treated tag won’t regrow, friction in the same area could lead to new ones forming.
Despite the availability of at-home skin tag removal kits – often utilizing cryotherapy principles with aerosol propellants or employing elastic bands to cut off blood supply – experts caution against their use. These kits are frequently enough ineffective, failing to reach temperatures low enough to kill tissue, and can possibly lead to infection, bleeding, and scarring, warns Dr. Khan, who “would strongly advise against individuals attempting to remove skin tags at home.”
A meaningful concern is the potential for misdiagnosis. What appears to be a skin tag could actually be a mole or cancerous growth requiring a biopsy. Thus, Dr. Khan stresses the importance of having any new or changing skin growth evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional.
while generally harmless, skin tags have been linked to insulin resistance and, potentially, type 2 diabetes, and their appearance warrants medical attention to rule out underlying health concerns.
