Skin tags can be bothersome to those who suffer from them, and are a very common skin condition, especially as people age. These soft, flesh-colored growths usually look like extra skin hanging on the skin’s surface in small, tag-like forms. They’re connected to the skin by a little piece of tissue called a stalk and can range in size and shape. They are not cancerous and don’t become cancerous.
At Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center in Windermere, Florida, we serve Orlando-area patients who are interested in skin tag removal. Most skin tags are benign and harmless, but they can be irritating in many cases, rubbing against clothes or jewelry. We also see many patients who would like to have them removed to improve their appearance and feel better about themselves.
How You May Get Skin Tags
There’s a familial or genetic link to the development of skin tags, as they do tend to run in families. In most cases, they’re found in people who are 60 or older but can affect younger people, too. They also tend to emerge after pregnancy in women.
Skin tags usually appear around the neck, armpits, torso, breasts and genital area, which can make them either unsightly or an annoyance. They sometimes first appear as a small bump on the skin, and over time develop into the familiar tags. They usually are painless but can begin to hurt if twisted on their stalks or in a particularly sensitive area, or if a blood clot forms at the stalk.
How We Can Remove Them
At Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center in Windermere, Dr. Hudgens is experienced and trained in identifying and removing skin tags. No tests are required for diagnosis, but if a skin growth shows signs of being something other than a skin tag — for instance, if it is firm, immovable, shows a different color than surrounding skin or multiple colors — the doctor will evaluate and maybe biopsy the growth before further treatment.
Skin tags remain on the skin until removal and don’t go away on their own. If you choose to have them removed, Dr. Hudgens may use a few different methods of removal, based on the size, location, and the number of skin tags you would like removed.
A simple removal using medical scissors or other dermatological tools may be as quick and easy as it gets, or in some cases, tags may be removed with a freezing process that is also fast and painless. Whatever method the doctor uses, our priority is always safe, effective, and minimally-invasive treatment to take the best possible care of our patients.
Contact us anytime at our Windermere, Florida area office for an expert opinion from our medical team or to schedule an appointment for skin tag removal.