Skin tag facts for kids
A skin tag is a small, soft growth that can appear on your skin. These growths are usually harmless, which means they are not dangerous or cancerous. Skin tags often look like tiny balloons of skin, sometimes connected to your body by a short, narrow stalk. They are usually small, like a grain of rice, but some can grow up to about half an inch long.
Skin tags are very common. They can appear on anyone, but they are more often found on older adults. They tend to grow in places where skin rubs against skin or clothing. Common spots include the neck, armpits, groin, and eyelids.
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Why Do Skin Tags Form?
Scientists are still learning exactly why skin tags appear. However, they seem to be more common in people who:
- Are older.
- Are overweight or have obesity.
- Have diabetes.
- Are pregnant.
- Have family members who also get skin tags.
It is thought that repeated rubbing of skin against skin, or against clothing, might play a role in their development.
Do Skin Tags Need Treatment?
Most skin tags are completely harmless and do not cause any pain or health problems. Because of this, they usually do not need to be removed.
However, sometimes a person might choose to have a skin tag removed if:
- It gets irritated or rubbed by clothing, jewelry, or shaving.
- They do not like how it looks, especially if it is in a very visible place.
If a skin tag needs to be removed, a doctor can do it safely and easily. It is important not to try to remove a skin tag yourself, as this can lead to bleeding or infection.
How Are Skin Tags Removed?
Doctors have a few simple ways to remove skin tags:
- Surgery: A doctor can use a special scalpel or surgical scissors to carefully snip off the skin tag. This is a quick procedure.
- Cryotherapy: This method involves freezing the skin tag off using very cold liquid nitrogen. The skin tag will then fall off on its own after a few days.
- Cauterization: This technique uses heat to burn off the skin tag. The heat seals the blood vessels, which helps prevent bleeding.
These procedures are usually done in a doctor's office and are very safe.
Images for kids
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A magnified view of a skin tag under a microscope.
See also
In Spanish: Acrocordón para niños
