What are Skin Tags?
Skin tags are small pieces of soft, hanging skin that may have a stalk. They are benign, noncancerous, growths that can appear anywhere on your skin, but often develop on the neck, eyelids, or underarms. They are usually the same color as your skin or a little darker. They are not dangerous, but they can be removed for aesthetic or medical reasons.
What do Skin Tags look like?
The signs and symptoms of skin tags are:
- Small pieces of skin that may be the same color as surrounding skin or darker
- Soft and hanging growths that may have a stalk
- Usually painless and harmless, unless they get irritated or bleed
- Commonly found in areas where skin rubs against skin, such as eyelids, armpits, neck, groin, or underarms
What treatments are available at the dermatologist for Skin Tags?
There are two main methods that dermatologists use to remove skin tags:
- Cryosurgery: This involves freezing the skin tag off with liquid nitrogen, which is very cold and destroys the skin tag. This works well for small skin tags, but may cause some discomfort, blistering, or scarring.
- Snipping: This involves cutting the skin tag off with a sterile scissors or scalpel, usually after numbing the area with a local anesthetic. This works well for larger or multiple skin tags, but may cause some bleeding, infection, or scarring.
Skin Tags vs Moles
- Skin tags are soft and hanging growths that usually have a stalk that connects them to the skin. They are usually flesh-colored or a little darker, and can develop anywhere on the skin, especially in areas where there is friction. They are benign and harmless, but may be removed for cosmetic or medical reasons.
- Moles are flat or slightly raised growths that are usually round and one color. They can be brown, pink, red, black, blue, tan, or skin tone. They can develop anywhere on the skin, but are more common on sun-exposed areas. They are usually benign, but some may be precancerous or cancerous, and should be checked by a dermatologist regularly.
FAQ About Skin Tags
Are skin tags dangerous or contagious?
No, skin tags are benign (noncancerous) and do not pose any health risks. They are not contagious and cannot spread from one person to another.
How are skin tags diagnosed?
Skin tags are usually diagnosed by their appearance and location on the skin. However, some skin conditions or cancers can mimic the look of skin tags, so it is important to have them checked by a dermatologist to rule out any serious problems.
Can skin tags turn into cancer?
No, skin tags are benign and do not turn into cancer. However, some skin cancers can look like skin tags, so it is important to have any suspicious growths checked by a dermatologist to rule out any serious problems.
Is there a dermatologist near me in St. Louis that offers treatment for Skin Tags?
Yes. At our St. Louis dermatology office we offer treatment for Skin Tags to patients from St. Louis and the surrounding area. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.