What is a skin tag?
Acrochordons, or skin tags, are small growths of the same color or slightly darker than your skin. Most commonly, they are found under the arms, around the upper chest, and eyelids. Dermatologists believe that at least half of adults will experience dermatitis in their lifetime.
What are the causes of this?
The friction of your skin against itself causes skin tags. They are more common in people with a history of bumps on their skin, those with health problems such as obesity, or those experiencing rapid growth during pregnancy. Skin tags can look like warts, moles, or other types of cancer. You should consult a doctor to receive an official diagnosis.
Can they be removed?
Most skin tags don’t require treatment. Most skin tags are not harmful. However, many patients feel embarrassed about them. Some even try to remove them at home, using unsafe methods like strangling them with string in the hope that they will fall off.
A dermatologist should be consulted if you wish to remove a skin mark. DIY removal may cause scarring, infection and be more painful.
The dermatologist will use a numbing agent to numb the skin tag area before removing it. The dermatologist will use liquid nitrogen or a laser to remove the skin tag. It may also be removed using a surgical scalpel in some cases. The patient will experience only minimal discomfort, and recovery takes just a couple of days.