Templeton skin tag, cutaneous tag, cutaneous papilloma,papilloma colli, soft fibroma, fibroma molluscum, fibroepithelial polyp, fibroma pendulum and acrochordon are all other names for skin tags. They are usually small, benign growths that are created of a central part of fibers and vessels, nerve cells, fat cells, and a covering or epidermis. Often you can see them raised from the skin on a stalk so called a peduncle.
Skin tags can appear with both men and women on their skin by aging. Almost half population develop skin tags at some point in their lives. They are also more frequent in pregnant women, obese people, and people with diabetes type 2 mellitus.
The most common location where skin tags form is the armpit and are more often found in areas where the skin creases, for example the neckline, the groin, the underside of the arms, the area beneath the breasts, and the eyelids.. Skin tags usually appear in groups. They use to be on a way of jewelry, are being shaved in error and are agitated by clothing. Women who shave their armpits should be careful not to shave or cut skin tags that are located there. Even though skin tags are theoretically tumors, they are benign and generally harmless. However, they can become damaged, inflamed and sore. They might bleed if cut off or rubbed hard.
We are not 100% positive what causes skin tags, but there are few thoughts that could be associated with their appearance:
- Human papilloma virus
- Insulin resistance caused by diabetes
- Chaffing and irritation from the skin rubbing together
- Hormones secreted during pregnancy or in cases of acromegaly
- Illegal steroid use that interferes with the body and muscles, causing the collagen fibers in the skin to bond so that skin tags are formed
Physicians generally remove skin tags using one of the following methods:
- Cauterizatio - the skin tag is burned off using electrolysis
- Cryosurgery - the skin tag is frozen off using liquid nitrogen
- Ligation - the blood supply to the skin tag is interrupted
- Excision - the skin tag is removed with a scalpel
Skin tags are generally harmless; they are regularly removed for aesthetic or cosmetic reasons.