Introduction:
Skin tags are one of the most commonly seen features in most of the population all over the world; depending on the melanin pigmentation, it may appear pink or brown as a bundle of skin. These tags are seen involving the face or skin, eyelids, groin, or axilla. Hence, it can be disturbing and esthetically compromising, affecting a person's confidence. Skin tags are medically called acrochordons that show excess soft tissue growth appearing on the skin. These tags are non-cancerous and are commonly seen in around fifty to sixty percent of adults, which are harmless.
Skin tags are seen commonly affecting both men and women in equal ratios. The reasons for skin tags are mostly obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, etc. The genetically appearing skin tags are differentiated from the ones appearing on the neck, giving a molluscum pendulum-like necklace appearance. Normally skin tags were seen amidst the age of the older population, but in recent times an increased incidence of occurrence is evident in the younger generation, including adults and children. These tags, however, can be medically treated using medical or surgical methods.
What Causes Factors Causing Skin Tags?
The factors causing skin tags are: abnormal lipid levels in the body, type two diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, genetic factors, etc. However, skin tags are also seen in conditions when the skin loses its elasticity, aging, or hormonal imbalances. As an infectious origin, HPV (human papillomavirus) infection is also believed to be one of the reasons.
How Commonly Are Skin Tags Seen?
The incidence of skin tags is seen equally in both men and women, with a prevalence of fifty to sixty percent around the global population. It is seen in all age groups as the occurrence of skin tags usually happens at a very young age that gradually increases in size, visible in the fifth and sixth decades of life.
How Are Skin Tags Seen Clinically?
The skin tags are considered as the non-cancerous tumor-like lesions of the skin that are seen above the skin surface, where it appears fleshy and attached to the skin with a peduncle ( a finger-like attachment). The skin tags are usually brownish pink to brown depending on the melanin (brown pigment that gives color to the skin) content of the skin. The size of the skin tags is around one to two millimeters and may vary up to five centimeters.
How Does Skin Tag Occur?
Skin tags occur as a mass of loose tissue, which is fibrous, where the tip of this mass is attached to the base of the skin. This condition resembles the appearance of neurofibromas (tumors of the nerve bundles).
How Are Skin Tags Examined?
It is essential to physically examine the person before performing removing the skin tag to identify the exact cause of origin. The commonly done clinical examinations know a person’s BMI index, blood sugar levels, and the body’s lipid (fat) index.
How Are Skin Tags Treated?
As skin tags occur as a bundle of tissue attached to the skin, it is important to remove it from the base level in order to prevent the recurrence of the tag. Skin tags can be treated by both medical and surgical management. And the ways of doing it are:
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Non-Surgical Management: The most preferred and successful treatment for removing skin tags is the surgical way of removing them. However, very small and minute skin tags can be removed using over-the-counter topicals such as ointments, gels, creams, etc. These topical creams, when applied on the tags, act slowly by freezing them, which later allows them to fall off from the skin, thus visibly diminishing the appearance of these on the skin. The common medications of choice are agents containing salicylic acid, zinc, etc., or some herbal supplements that are similar to those that are used for removing skin warts. The topical medications also reduce the further emergence of tags at the site of growth. The area, after the removal of the tags, usually heals within one to three weeks of time.
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Surgical Management: With the advancement in medicine, the surgical management of skin tags has become a hassle-free job. This is treated by dermatologists by the following procedures, and they are:
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Snip Excision - This is a procedure that is used to remove any raised lesion on the skin surface, commonly like the skin tags. Snip excision is done by injecting the site of the skin tag with local anesthesia. Once the site involved is anesthetized, a pair of small forceps are placed on the tag to hold it away from the skin and pulled out (where snipping also means pulling out).
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Cryosurgery - This surgical method is also called cool surgery as it uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the tissues. Here in the treatment of skin tags, the liquid nitrogen freezes the tissue of the skin tags, making them fall within a period of about ten to fourteen days. This surgical process is similar to wart removal.
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Cautery - Cauterization is the process of burning a targeted site using radiofrequency. Removal of skin tags using cautery is done by burning the skin tag until it falls off from the skin surface, using controlled frequency.
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Lasers for Skin Tags: The other ways of removing these tags are thorough laser removal. The lasers of choice preferred for this treatment are the carbon lasers and the neodymium lasers. However, lasers in skin tag removal have become one of the comfortable options, as they help in the rejuvenation of the skin by activating the skin’s healing process, without any scar formation, along with removing the skin tags.
What Are the Complications After Treating Skin Tags?
Although the surgery is painless and easy, the most commonly seen complications are:
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Scarring of the skin on the site of the skin tag.
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Irritation at the skin around the area of removal.
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Nerve growth or neuroma.
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Minor spots of bleeding after removal.
Conclusion:
Although skin tags are common, there are many other conditions resembling them, like skin infections, genital warts or skin hyperpigmentation, or a rare skin condition called seborrheic keratosis. And it is very important to rule out these conditions and examine the patient medically before removing them. Hence, skin tags and their removal should be given primary care and importance and should not be done in any random places. However, the appearance of skin tags is not a condition to worry about as well. With proper hygiene, weight maintenance, and routine checkups, skin tags can be prevented. Skin tag removal shows a good prognosis when removed right and does not show any symptoms of becoming aggressive.
