Skin tags are benign growths on the surface of the dermis. These are mostly cosmetic in nature, but you may find that there’s issues with the growth in some instances. As you explore how tags are formed, and what they are, you’ll find that most often, they do not hurt, they do not have pus, or bleed. However, there are rare instances in which these issues could occur. This can be confusing to some, but there are things that you need to do, and perhaps even see a doctor. But before getting into that, consider what skin tags are, whether or not they will go away, and what to do if you see pus coming out.
Are Skin Tags Dangerous?
The first thing to denote is that the majority of tags are not going to be dangerous. They do not bleed, they do not have pus, and they are caused by friction of the skin. When the dermis touches itself and rubs against another patch of skin, you may find that there’s a raised platform. This is a skin tag, and it’s normal. There are sometimes medical reasons for these, which may include diabetes, allergic reaction, and irritation of the skin. It may also be the result of HPV infection, but more often than not, it is nothing too serious.
What About Pus?
Moving forward, you may find that your skin tag may fall off, then come back again. If it grows back with pus, then something is wrong. This means that there’s an infection, and a doctor will need to focus on the root cause. You may have a source of irritation that is causing this, or an infection. Pus is not a good thing to have discharge from your dermis. These cells are bacteria that could cause a spread of rash, or even further problems on your skin. If you see this coming out of any tag, or any skin issue, see a specialist.
Why Won’t They Go Away?
The reason why tags don’t just go away is because the dermis is inflamed, and continues to rub against other dermal layers. Think of the skin under your arm, for a second. That skin is going to touch other skin, no matter what you do. If there’s friction there, especially on hot days, the rush of collagen may impact a growth on the dermal tissue. That leads to tags. The same thing can happen anywhere on your body, especially as you gain weight, lose weight, or have a health problem.
What Will A Doctor Do?
If you’re not seeing tags go away, and you see pus, contact a dermatologist. They will diagnose the root cause, then will prescribe medication that you can use topically to prevent break outs. They can also lance, or freeze the tags so that they are removed carefully from the skin. Once this is done, they can do other tests to ensure that you do not get tags again, or at least ensure that your body is not signaling that there’s a bigger issue at play.