When Should I Have a Skin Tag Removed?
When it comes to skin tags, the truth is that they’re pretty common. That said, it’s easy to feel insecure or uncomfortable about them if they’re in a visible location. Wondering when you should seek a doctor’s help for skin tag removal? Here’s everything you need to know.
What to Know About Skin Tag Removal
What Are Skin Tags?
Before we talk about potential reasons for skin tag removal, it’s important to understand what a skin tag is. A skin tag is a common occurrence on the skin. Typically flesh-colored, skin tags may look like a small stalk or flap growing out of the skin. They most commonly occur in areas like the neck, underarms, groin, and eyelids. Experts believe that skin tags form as a result of skin rubbing against skin and cite that skin tags are more common on obese patients. It’s believed this happens because obese individuals have higher occurrences of skin friction. Fortunately, the vast majority of skin tags aren’t problematic at all. This means they’re not cancerous, nor do they pose any significant threat or discomfort in most cases. But if you’re living with a skin tag and you’re wondering when it’s time to get it removed, here are a few common reasons.
You’re Experiencing Discomfort
As we mentioned earlier, skin tags are generally harmless and don’t cause any discomfort. That said, it’s possible for skin tags to get caught on clothes and jewelry, which has the potential to cause some discomfort and even pain in some instances. If your skin tag is causing you pain or discomfort in any way, there’s no reason not to get it removed. Whether you nicked it while you were shaving your underarms or you’re sick of necklaces getting caught on it and pulling your skin, it’s possible for your dermatologist to help you remove this benign skin growth. Skin tags on necks, groins, and underarms tend to cause the most discomfort, so if you have a skin tag in one of those places, it’s perfectly reasonable to have it removed.
You’re Feeling Self-Conscious
While skin tags don’t say anything about your health, they can have a profound effect on self-confidence. Skin tags on the face tend to have the biggest effect on self-confidence. A skin tag on your eye or on your neck is highly visible. If it makes you feel self-conscious around other people or it’s taking a serious toll on your self-confidence, don’t hesitate to have your skin tag removed. You deserve to feel good about your skin! If a skin tag is bothering you and making you feel less than amazing, there’s no need to delay having it removed.
Your Movement Is Impaired
This particularly refers to skin tags on the eyelids. In some cases, a skin tag on or near your eyelid may cause issues with functionality and mobility if it’s in a more delicate location. In addition, larger skin tags may impair movement in some areas. If a skin tag is large enough anywhere on your body, it could interfere with mobility. If this is happening to you, there’s no reason you shouldn’t have that skin tag removed. Visit your dermatologist as soon as possible to regain full mobility!
Skin tags may be mostly harmless, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with them. If you need a skin tag removed or you have questions about your skin tag treatment options, contact our team at North Pacific Dermatology to set up an appointment today.