Skin tags: What are they and when should they be treated
Skin tags - basically small growths that hang off your skin - are incredibly common, and while not contagious, they can make many feel very self-conscious.
Anyone can develop them but those most at risk include older people, women facing hormonal changes and those who are overweight or have type 2 diabetes. While not usually painful, skin tags can get caught in clothing and be a source of embarrassment for 70 per cent of those who have them, according to research.
Although skin tags are common and harmless, they can be removed if they become bothersome. GP Dr Gill Jenkins says skin tags can vary in colour and size, ranging from a few millimetres up to 5cm wide. “Sometimes they can look like warts, however, more often than not they’re smoother and softer and they tend to hang off the skin. Also, a key difference with skin tags and warts is that skin tags are not contagious, whereas warts are very easily spread from person to person.”
Skin tags can be found on various areas of the body, although Dr Jenkins says the neck, groin and armpits are most common. Of those who have had or currently have a skin tag:
- 42 per cent said it appeared on the neck
- 36 per cent said it was on the underarms
- 16 per cent had it occur on their back
- 13 per cent found it on their arms
- 7 per cent said it developed around their eyes.
What is the main cause of skin tags?
Healthdirect says skin tags are common, especially as a person ages, and don't cause any harm. They tend to develop when the skin rubs together, such as armpits, anus, thighs, eyelids and neck, and are more common in people who are overweight and have folds of skin.
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“Skin tags are essentially made of collagen, a protein-type which is abundant in our body,” says Dr Jenkins.
Although skin tags don’t cause pain and are harmless, many people do opt to have them removed. According to research carried out by developer and marketer for consumer health products Excilor, 26 per cent have had a skin tag taken off by a health professional. Reasons for this removal are varied, although 45 per cent of those questioned said it was catching, while 35 per cent say it was in an awkward position.
It’s a source of embarrassment for some as 19 per cent admitted to getting one removed because it was visible. It would appear that skin tags do cause pain for some, as 20 per cent said they got their skin tag removed as it hurt, with 16 per cent saying it was infected and 11 per cent saying it was inflamed.
“Removal of a skin tag should be done properly with a skin tag treatment, or by a professional,” warned Dr Jenkins. “Bigger skin tags need to be removed by a professional, however, visit your GP if you're unsure,” she adds. The Excilor research found that 24 per cent of skin tag sufferers have used an over-the-counter treatment product as recommended by pharmacists.
Can skin tags be treated?
Excilor Skin Tag Treatment is a clinically proven, painless and effective treatment for skin tags with a diameter of up to 3mm at the base and max 5mm in height. It involves a flat, adhesive patch which applies pressure to the base of the skin tag, cutting off the bloodstream and causing the skin tag to wither and drop off within a week.
Excilor Skin Tag treatment is available from independent pharmacies
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