Procedure - Skin Tags
Skin tags are a relatively common annoyance, usually presenting themselves on the head and neck area. It is unclear how or why skin tags develop, but they become more and more common as we age – 60% of people 70 years or older have multiple skin tags at any given time.
Long considered simply a cosmetic issue, recent research indicates that skin tags might be a sign of a bigger problem. Researchers have recently discovered associations between reoccurring skin tags and a surprising number of clinical conditions, usually directly related to poor metabolic health. These conditions include acanthosis nigricans, acromegaly, colonic polyps, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), and lipid disorders.
Reoccurring skin tags have also been linked to metabolic syndrome.
If you suffer from reoccurring skin tags, please schedule an appointment with your primary care provider or a medical weight loss specialist to make sure they are not a sign of a deeper problem.
How to Treat Skin Tags
Skin tags are simple to remove. Depending upon the size and type of skin tag, your doctor may choose:
- Surgical removal: Removing the skin tag with a scalpel.
- Cryotherapy: Freezing the skin tag with liquid nitrogen.
- Ligation: Tying off the skin tag with surgical thread and allowing the tag to fall off.
- Electrosurgery: Removing the skin tag by burning it with high-frequency electrical energy.
