What Are Skin Tags

Skin tags are mole-like skin coloured dots on the face. They may look unsightly if they appear in clusters, but are absolutely harmless. A skin tag is a small flap of tissue that hangs off the skin. It is a common skin growth but not dangerous in anyway since it is a non cancerous tumour. Its medical name is cutaneous papilloma. It can either be the colour of your flesh or pigmented. It looks like a mushroom with a firm stalk and bulb like tip.

It can be smooth or rough to touch and varies in sizes. It could be small or large in size. Skin tags appear anywhere on the body. Especially those areas where the skin rubs with other body parts or clothes.

Some common places where skin tags appear are neck, chest, back, armpits, under the breasts, elbows, eye region and so on. Anyone can get skin tags, regardless of age.

Some factors that are known to have an influence would be:

1) Ageing
2) Obesity
3) Diabetes
4) Pregnancy
5) Hereditary reasons.

Most of the skin tags do not cause any problems. They are painless and have no symptoms. The only problem they cause is to the apperance. Sometimes, they can bleed, become tender and irritated if rubbed against jewellery or clothing. Larger skin tags around the eyes can be bothersome.

They should be treated by a doctor or a professional skin therapist. Skin tags can be removed for cosmetic reasons. Some methods of removal are; surgery, freezing, electrosurgery and so on. If the skin growth doesn’t seem to match the above mentioned characteristics then it could be a mole.

Although, moles may be similiar in appearance they are different in cause and formation. It is best to consult a dermatologist to treat any such skin conditions.