Can a biopsy discover the presence, cause or extent of skin tags?

There are so many different skin troubles that you may face in your lifetime. Millions of people for instance, face off against skin irritations, or even skin tags. Tags form on the skin when friction causes collagen to push forward and create outer growths. These growths are easy to manage, but can be somewhat cosmetic in nature. They are benign, meaning non-cancerous, and for the most part aren’t going to cause any disruption in your life. However, they do not look great, and therefore you may want to pursue getting them removed.

Are Skin Tags Dangerous?

The short answer is simple, no. These are not dangerous at all. In fact, you’re going to find that this is not something that you should worry about in most cases. People all over the world get skin tags because of the dermis rubbing against itself. Whenever your skin folds, creases, or moves around a bit, it will cause friction between cell walls. That friction causes the small bumps and raised plateaus to form. However, they do not hurt, they do not bleed, they are not going to disturb most, and you do not need to panic.

Are Skin Tags Cancer?

Not necessarily. While there are some skin tags that may mutate or cause issue, it’s extremely rare. If you’re concerned, you can contact a dermatologist and get a second opinion on the matter. However, you could apply topical solutions like acne medication, astringent, or even apple cider vinegar on the tags themselves. In time, they will fall off. However, if they don’t fall off, if they change colors, start to bleed, or cause any disruption in your life, you’ll need to call a professional for a helping hand.

Can A Biopsy Figure Out The Root Cause of Skin Tags?

Biopsies are often used to screen for skin cancer. In most instances, they are not used to find the root cause of tags, because that’s not the test that is used. Finding out the roto cause of tags is often associated with medical diseases that aren’t necessarily cancer. For instance, people that are obese, have diabetes, HPV infections, pregnant, hormonal shifts, or even allergic reactions to certain stimuli may develop tags on the skin. However, aside from those diseases, it’s rare for a doctor to take a biopsy to figure out the root cause of a skin tag. Often, it’s a matter of skin stretching, creasing, or folding throughout someone’s life. Wrinkles, weight gain, and insulin resistance, are often common issues to consider.

At the end of the day, you do not need to worry about skin tags. They are not going to hurt, they are not going to cause much disruption in your life, and will not cause you much pain or issue. However, if you feel that you need a second opinion, or you want to ensure that the tags you have are not cancerous, you can call a dermatologist. They can remove the cells, and they can give you a biopsy to ensure that the elements are benign. They are nearly always benign, as these are not cancer cell growths.