What is a Skin Tag?
A skin tag, in simple terms, is a non-cancerous, soft, and fleshy growth that may be dark or flesh-colored. It appears on the skin of the neck, underarms, torso, and areas where skin folds are present. Skin tags are usually 2 to 5 millimeters, but they may grow up to half an inch. It is unclear what causes skin tags, but usually, it is due to diabetes, hormonal imbalance, pregnancy, genetics, being overweight, and more.
Is it Okay if I Cut Off My Skin Tag?
No, it is not okay to cut off your skin tag by yourself. You may think it is easy and feasible, but cutting off your skin tag can bring forth serious consequences. You might experience heavy bleeding, pain, scarring, and infection risk due to the skin tag!
When you cut off a skin tag, you damage the tissue and increase the risk of infection. It is a procedure that requires professional tools, a sterile environment, and medical knowledge on how to cut off a skin tag without complications. That is not all! A professional will also inspect the skin tag to make sure it is not a sign of another skin condition!
How to Cut Off a Skin Tag?
There are different ways a healthcare provider will perform skin tag removal. Here are some procedures they might use to remove your skin tag:
- Excision:The doctor will numb the treatment area and use a sterile scalpel or surgical blade scissors to remove the skin tag. They will perform it using the correct tools, techniques, and procedures.
- Cryotherapy:They can freeze the tag off, which involves dipping a pair of forceps into liquid nitrogen and grabbing the tag until it turns white. It is a pretty quick procedure and works well for people with multiple skin tags.
- Cauterization:They will use a small electrocautery device to burn off the skin tag. Before the procedure, a topical anesthetic is applied!
Reasons to Avoid Removing a Skin Tag at Home
As convenient as it seems, removing a skin tag at home might seem convenient, but it is not advisable and can go wrong very quickly. You should leave the skin tag removal to professionals because it is possible that the growth is something else. The specialist will examine the growth to determine what it is and proceed with the right treatment.
Moreover, cutting off a skin tag at home with scissors or another tool can cause infections, bleeding, and irritation. Therefore, make sure you do not attempt cutting off your skin tag at home and trust a professional.
Final Word
If you have a skin tag, it is better not to cut it off but trust a professional with the job. Otherwise, you may experience bleeding, infection, and irritation.
Bharmal Internal Medicine offers high-quality and effective services to remove your skin tag. Talk to us at (817) 784-0052.