Skin Tag Removal
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Fenton, Sterling, Livonia, MI and San Diego, CA
Skin tags, also known as acrochordons or cutaneous skin tags, are small growths of excess skin that most often appear on the neck, underarms, eyelids, or any place where skin tends to rub together. Although harmless, they can be annoying, unsightly, and even painful when they get irritated from rubbing against clothing. Skin tags vary in size from tiny and almost non-existent to about the size of a pencil eraser in more extreme cases. Extremely common, nearly everyone will get at least one in their life time, especially after the age of 50. Read on for more information about skin tag removal from the best dermatologist in Michigan!
Causes
Skin tags appear most often in people who are overweight, obese, or who have diabetes. More women than men develop them as well. As they are most often found in folds of skin that rub together, it is the friction of skin rubbing against skin that seems to be the culprit, but a genetic predisposition towards developing skin tags is also a factor.
These growths are not contagious.
Considerations
Skin tags are harmless, and if they aren’t bothering you, it is not necessary to take them out; it’s when they become irritated or painful that you should consider having them taken out. If the skin tag is visible and unsightly, but not necessarily bothering you, skin tag removal is quite common and totally acceptable. When quality of life issues arise, such as when they start interfering with normal activities, an examination by a licensed physician is recommended to ensure there is not an underlying condition that is more serious. The best dermatologist in Michigan at the Skin & Vein Center is ready to help!
Removal
There are a few remedies you can try at home, but if you want to reduce the risk of scarring, pain, or even infection, a visit to your doctor is recommended. Done as an outpatient procedure, the physician can either cut it off with a sterile instrument, use a prescription solution to freeze it off, or burn it off with a small wire that passes an electrical current to the stalk of the skin tag (this method also cauterizes and stops the bleeding). There is very little pain involved with these methods, as physicians use a numbing agent to help lessen what little pain you may experience. Contrary to popular belief, the skin tag will not grow back.
Contact
Dr. Seiger – your dermatologist in Michigan – and staff understand that sometimes it’s the little things that bother us the most, and skin tags, while generally harmless, do have the capability to create quality of life issues, and we want to help you. Contact us and explore what options are open to you in skin tag removal; we think you’ll be glad you did!