Skin tags are growths on the dermis that are benign. They do not hurt, they do not bleed, and in most cases, will not cause much more than a cosmetic issue. If you see them come up, do not panic, you are not alone. There are a lot of individuals that have this, and it can be removed without much incident. If you’re not sure what these are, or want to know more, consider a few notes on this, as well as a solution to removing them without having to see a physician outright.
What Exactly Are Skin Tags?
Skin tags are growths that come up on the dermis. They come up due to friction. When there is friction in the skin, collagen is sent to the layers and a small growth appears. That small growth is something that appears as a small plateau. It’s a small, irregular shaped growth that comes up, but is not cancerous, painful, or will have discharge. It’s something that you do not have to worry too much about, unless you feel that there’s an underlying medical issue.
There are some individuals that have a medical concern that comes with skin tag growth. This includes diabetes, obesity, steroid use, pregnancy, HPV infection, and allergic reaction to precious metals. These all can irritate the skin cells and cause a small growth to come up from the layers. If you suspect that your tags are because of a medical concern, you can get a diagnosis from a professional and they can determine what the underlying issue truly is, and how to treat it.
Removing Skin Tags
The most commonly used method for removing skin tags is topical. That means that topical solutions are placed directly on the tags themselves. These are often creams, or liquids that can help dry out the tag and remove things without incident. One of the options that you may want to test in this arena is that of Lugol’s Iodine Solution.
To use this, you’ll need to get a cotton ball and apply the solution to it. Then take the iodine and place it on the tag itself. You’ll need to do this 3 times a day for several weeks. In some instances, it may take some time for this to work. Do not worry if it takes time, it will occur naturally and you’ll say goodbye to skin tags for a long time.
What If It Doesn’t Work?
In the case that the iodine doesn’t work, and you are concerned, call a dermatologist. In some rare cases, the root of the tag is so deep it requires a helping hand with removing it. A doctor can see the tag, and remove it in office, without pain, or scarring. This is not a complex thing to work with, and many dermatologists can do this in a matter of seconds. You may not need to go this far. Try the topical options first, and wait for the tag to fall away naturally. It will be well suited with the use of iodine.