What are skin tags, how do they form and where are they usually found?

There are a lot of different skin issues that can pop up and are not too difficult to deal with. One of the most common issues that affect millions of people is that of skin tags. Tags form due to friction between the dermal tissue, and are sometimes connected to other maladies. If you have never heard of this issue, or perhaps want to learn a bit more about it, consider the following breakdown of what they are, how they form, and where they are usually found.

The Causes of Skin Tags

The first thing that you should know is that skin tags are not cancerous. They are benign, even though they may be defined as tumors. They grow out of the top of the dermis, and usually come through as thick, plateaus that are similar to zits but have no element that you pop. They do not hurt, they do not bleed, and they are mostly a cosmetic problem.

Now, there are several different causes that you can find related to tags of this type. Skin irritation can be as simple as a result of allergic reaction. Heredity, and use of steroids are also a problem that can cause this. But there are also links to obesity, diabetes, HPV, and pregnancy. The majority of individuals that experience this problem usually deal with the problem associated with rapid weight gain, or weight loss. Wherever skin creases, folds, or changes quickly, you’ll find friction. That friction of skin tissue causes these tags to form.

Where Are Skin Tags Usually Found?

Moving forward, you’ll find that tags on the skin are found in a variety of different locations. The most common locations are around the neck, on the eyelids, mouth, nose, under arms, underneath breast tissue, and around the pubic area. These are often solitary, although there may be some in close proximity. Many people confuse these for warts, which are not the same. Warts can come in clusters, can be painful, have discharge, and are associated to HPV and other sexually transmitted infections. Skin tags are not the same, although there are some shared removal processes that can be similar.

How Skin Tags Are Removed

The majority of individuals that have skin tags will find that home cures exist. Many options are topical, applying a solution to the tag and waiting for the tag to fall off naturally. Drying out the option is one way to ensure that it is completely fixed moving forward. If a person goes to a doctor, they can lance, freeze, or burn the element off. However, they may prescribe a topical solution like Retin A or an acne medication that you can place on the skin to allow for the tag to dry out.

At the end of the day, it’s worth repeating, that there is no major issue associated with skin tags. They are benign, and can be removed at home without having to have invasive elements. If you see tags form, don’t panic, simply find a topical solution and they’ll dry out in no time.