Skin Tag Removal

Acrochordons, more commonly known as skin tags, are benign skin growths that look like a small piece of soft, flesh-colored tissue. Skin tags are harmless growths that project outward from various areas of the body such as the face, eyelids, base of the neck, underarms, abdomen, groin areas and under the breasts.

Skin tags occur in both men and women, however, some individuals may experience an increase in the formation of skin tags as they enter middle age, or during increased hormone elevations, such as those seen during pregnancy. Since skin tags are more common in areas of skin friction or rubbing, tags are also regularly seen in overweight people, as well as individuals who wear jewelry such as necklaces for long periods of time, causing constant friction on the skin. Though usually seen in adulthood, toddlers and children may also develop skin tags in the underarm and neck area.

Generally unrelated to any major medical conditions, skin tags are not a cause of worry. They seldom cause any pain or discomfort, though individuals with skin tags frequently chose to have them removed for cosmetic reasons.

The physicians at Brentview Medical Urgent Care employ several effective medical ways to eliminate a skin tag, including excision, freezing by means of liquid nitrogen, and burning, using an electrical instrument to cauterize the area. Before each skin tag removal, the area is thoroughly cleansed with alcohol. Depending on the size and location of the skin tag an anesthetic is applied to numb the area. Once the anesthetic has taken effect, there should be no pain associated with the procedure. Usually, small tags may be removed easily without anesthesia.