Is dermatosis Papulosa Nigra (DPN) related to skin tags?

There are many skin issues that you may have to deal with as you age. One of the issues that many people have to deal with today is that of dermatosis Papulosa Nigra. This is an issue that is sometimes thought to be related to skin tags, but they are not the same. While these are similar, it’s important to realize that DPN is a little different, and needs a different approach in diagnosis and assistance for removal. With that in mind, consider a few notes in regard to this issue, and what you can do to differentiate it from skin tags in the traditional sense.

What Are Skin Tags?

First, let’s consider skin tags, and what they are. These are issues that are small growths on the skin. They do not hurt, they are not cancerous, they are simply overgrowths on the skin. They rise through dermal friction. Wherever the dermis rubs against itself, a push of collagen rises, and a mound comes up. This is known simply as a tag. There are several reasons why this occurs, but the main culprit is a matter of creases, and folds on the skin. These can appear on the ears, eyelids, waistline, under arms, breasts, and even groin issue. Tags grow due to some medical links, including diabetes, insulin resistance, allergic reaction, and even issues with medications or steroids.

What Is DPN?

Unlike skin tags, dermatosis Papulosa Nigra is something that occurs primarily in African American individuals. These are clusters of bumps on the skin, and can be around the body, including the face. These do not occur due to friction of the dermis, and is often related to family history, and that’s about it. They are cosmetic in nature, benign, do not hurt, and do not cause any major issue. Medical researchers do not have a definitive answer as to why this occurs, but they do have options that can help remove them. They need to be properly diagnosed, first of all, then treatment can be considered moving forward.

Are Skin Tags The Same As DPN?

The short answer is, no. This is not something that is going to cause alarm, and they are not the same. They are both cosmetic, they may be similar in looks, but they are not the same. One is a matter of skin friction, the other is more akin to heredity. That’s the big different between the two. The source issue is the big thing to remember, as each one will have a different root element. However, you’ll find that only a doctor can be sure about this.

Without asking a professional about this, you won’t be able to determine if you have DPN or if you have skin tags. Tags are easier to spot, because they only occur in specific areas. Meanwhile DPN occurs in African Americans more often than not, and do not pose the same issue as tags in many ways. This is something that is worth noting, but not panicking about. These are usually cosmetic in nature, in most instances.