Skin Tag / Acrochordons

                       Skin Tags / Acrochordons

                                                                      (मस्से)

Bumps on Skin

One of the lesser known  skin woes that is not very commonly spoken about is skin tags. A lot of people believe that  skin tags are a concern that usually occurs as you age, but this is not exactly true. A lot of young people have skin tags too. Even though usually painless and harmless, these can prove to be an eye sore, and therefore it is completely understandable why people may want to get rid of them. If you are one of them, then this article is for you.

Skin Tags are common skin growth in which a short narrow stalks sticks out. They can appear due to ageing or pregnancy. It can also appear in youngsters. Skin tags are usually harmless and painless. They are very common, more than 10 million cases per year in India. Treatable by medical professionals or dermatologist. Skin tags  affect people both males and females. Skin tags can occur almost anywhere on the body covered by skin.

                                      "Get the tag of gorgeousness, not skin tags!"

Introduction

Do you see that tiny, annoying, outpouching part hanging out of your skin?. As annoying as this problem is, there is no need to panic  or resort to  expensive creams and medicines.

Skin Tags / Acrochordons

The main symptom is a growth on the skin, often on the neck, upper chest, underarms and eyelids. They may become irritated from rubbing against clothing. Yes, that irritable thing is called ‘skin tag’ or “acrochordon”. These small, fleshy growths strike up to half of all adults. You might have one right now a small, fleshy protrusion of skin that doesn’t hurt or itch. It’s probably the same colour as the rest of your body, and it may be circular or oblong, usually hanging by a thin stalk.

Most skin tags don't require treatment. If a skin tag is irritated or its appearance is bothersome, a doctor can remove it.

These are commonly seen cutaneous growths noticeable as soft excrescences of heaped up skin and are usually benign in nature. Estimates are that almost 50-60% of adults will develop at least one skin tag in their life time, with the probability of their occurrence increasing , after the forth decade of life. Skin tags usually range from 2 to 5 mm in size and can grow up to a few centimeters. However, skin tags can be annoying or uncomfortable if they catch on clothing or jewelry. They do not require removal for health or safety purposes, but many patients like to get them removed for cosmetic purposes or to reduce any discomfort. Contact a physician to have a skin tag removed via surgery by freezing, burning or excision. If a patient attempts to remove a skin tag themselves, it can cause an infection.

Acrochordons may appear as early as the teenage years but are most common in later part of  life.. Incidence of skin tags in children and adolescents is increasing due to obesity. Skin tags on the other hand are rare after seventh decade of life.

These lesions tends to grow in areas where there are skin folds, such as axilla, neck, eyelids and groin.

Types

Symptoms

• Skin tags often go unnoticed, especially if they are small in size or the unexposed areas of the body.
• The skin tag at first may appear as a tiny soft bump on the skin.
• Over time, it may grow into a flesh coloured piece of skin attached to the skin surface by a stalk.
• It is easy to wiggle a skin tag back and forth.
• Commonly skin tag is painless.
• Although it can become irritated if it is rubbed a lot.
• If the skin tag is twisted on its stalk, a blood clot can develop within it  and the skin tag may become painful.
• They usually do not show any symptoms, unless they are large ( >5 cms ) and bleed under pressure or are painful.
• The appearance of skin tags varies from person to person.
• They might be smooth or irregular in shape and soft to touch.
• The colour varies from skin colour to brownish to slightly red.
• They are often raised from the surface of the skin on fleshy stalks.
• They vary in size from as small as two mms to as large as a grape ( > 5 cms ).

Cause

• It is not clear exactly what causes skin tags, but it may happen when clusters of collagen and blood vessels become trapped inside thicker pieces of skin.
• Normal ageing : Skin tags may simply be a characteristic of normal ageing as the skin looses elasticity
• Irritation or friction for example skin tags usually develops on body folds where the skin folds and rubs together like the underarm, eyelids, underarm and groins.
• Obesity : Obese peoples are prone to get skin tags because they have more folds of skin.
• Diabetes : Insulin resistance may play a role because the growth are very common in patients with diabetes. Carrying extra weight is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and people with this kind of diabetes have more skin tags, as do people with high blood-sugar levels. This suggests a relationship between skin tags and the hormone insulin.
• Metabolic Syndrome (MeTS)
• Family history of skin tags.
• Viral infection : Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
• Genetic : In a genetic disorder called Birt Hogg Dube  (BHD) Syndrome patients often have numerous skin tags 
• Some people appears to inherit an increased susceptibility to skin tags.
• Pregnancy :  They happen more often during pregnancy in second trimester.
• Tuberous sclerosis
• Skin tags also crop up in people who produce too much growth hormone in their pituitary gland in the brain.

Skin tags and metabolic functions

Skin tag per se is not a direct metabolic issue. But it can appear as a result of imbalances in the metabolic issues. Usually it is observed with obesity and some hormonal issues like thyroid dysfunctions, Aconthosisnigricans (blackish discolouration of  neck and other skin folds areas) most of the times is associated with skin tags.

Diagnosis and Prognosis of skin tags

Physicians can recognize a skin tag easily by looking at it.. For a skin tag with characteristic appearance (soft, easily movable flesh coloured or slightly darker and usually attached to the skin surface by a stalk). No diagnosis test are required.

Sites

These lesions tends to grow in areas where there are skin folds, such as :

• Axilla /Armpits.
• Neck : Acrochordons may be seen in large numbers, often forming a 'necklace' like configuration around the neck referred to as 'molluscum pendulum' necklace sign.
• Eyelids
• Groins
• Upper chest (particularly under the female breast)

Armpits

Eyelids

Skin Tags on Neck

Breast site

Skin Tag in Kids

Genital Skin Tag

Cancerous Skin tags

        "If you're wondering how to remove skin tags, seeing a doctor is your best and safest bet."

Lifestyle changes to avoid skin tags

• Usually the skin tag happens due to accumulation of fat and obesity driven factors. Thus any kind of weight reduction strategy will help in the  reoccurrence of skin tags.
• Regular exercise.
• Foods and drinks which can control hormonal variations and fat accumulation.
• Wearing cotton cloths to keep the body away from heating up with outside weather.

Supplements for healthy skin

Vitamin E

As a lipid-soluble substance, Vitamin E is an essential antioxidant that humans need to maintain general health. Deficiency may include anemia and peripheral neuropathy when nerves become damaged and cannot carry messages from the brain and spinal cord to the body.  As an antioxidant, Vitamin E prevents oxidative damage in the body. It is also a common ingredient in several cosmetic products designed to promote healthy skin because it helps produce collagen As a dietary supplement, take 500 to 1,000 mg of Vitamin E 700 IU powder daily with food, unless a physician advises a different dosage. 

Vitamin C

Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is a common antioxidant that patients use to treat the common cold and flu. Vitamin C is an important mineral that strengthens the immune system. Humans do not have the ability to synthesize ascorbic acid naturally and must gain it through the diet.  Like Vitamin E, Vitamin C helps the body make collagen to reduce wrinkles and maintain elasticity and hydration. Vitamin C is available as a supplement to ensure a consistent daily dosage. As a dietary supplement, take ascorbic acid / Vitamin C in 1,000 mg doses per day, or following a physician’s advice.

Omega 3-6-9

When humans consume fat, the body breaks it down into fatty acids like omega-3-6-9 that it can absorb more easily. Essential fatty acids help maintain skin health by providing an efficient skin barrier, influencing proper inflammatory responses and promoting efficient wound healing.  The body can make some of these fats naturally, such as omega-9, but if the body cannot make these fats itself (omega-3 and omega-6), it needs them from dietary sources. They are also available in supplement form, which makes it easier to get a healthy, consistent dosage. As a supplement, take three omega-3-6-9 softgels once or twice a day. Consult a doctor before taking the supplement to confirm safety and dosage.

Treatment 

There are several treatment of skin tags, and all require removal of the leision. Currently use of : 

Ligation : Interrupting the skin tags blood supply.

Excision : Cutting the skin tag out with scalpel.

Radio cautery  is the most commonly performed procedure

Snip excision

Cautery : Burning of the skin tag with electrolysis.

Cryosurgery : Freezing of the skin tag with liquid nitrogen.

                                  

Ayurvedic

Ayurveda suggests using Agnikarma and kshara karma for the removal of the skin tags. While doing the procedure, the skin has to be moistened with Aloe vera gel or any other cold application to avoid skin damage. Post operative procedure include external lepa applications as well as cleansing to avoid the recurrence and marks.

Risk associated with skin tag removal

Skin tag removal is primarily a low risk clinical procedure. However, the lesion often freely bleeds when removed, requiring pressure and  monitoring during the procedure. On occasion, coagulation with silver nitrate or electro cautery is neccessary.

In rare cases, the patient may experience heavy bleeding or development of an aberrant infection after the surgery. The clinician can mitigate the risk for complications by taking a proper history of  any prescription or over the counter medications the patient might be taking since some drugs and supplements can alter the bleeding and clotting time.

It is also crucial that  the patient follows proper instructions on how to care for the area of skin tag removal. This will remove the risk of infection after the procedure.

                    "The patient must never try to remove the skin tags at home."

without proper technique and a sterile environment, The risk for excessasive bleeding and infection increases.

   

                             

Over The Counter Products for Skin Tags:

Along with home remedies, several over the counter solutions for skin tags are available in drug stores. The most popular ones are mentioned here. Read on to find out more about them.

1. Tag Band:

• This product works by stopping the blood supply of the skin tags.
• The cone which is included in the kit is placed over the tag with the removal device pushing off the band.
• The band tightens onto the base of the tag and causes it to fall off.
• It is available in 2 sizes: Tag band for medium to large skin tags (rated 4/5) and Micro auto Tag band for small to medium skin tags. (3.5/5).
• It can be used on all parts of the body except the eyes.

                                "Get the tag of gorgeousness, not skin tags!"

Skin Tags

Skin tags are common during pregnancy. A skin tag which is a tiny piece of excessive skin, is another harmless (if annoying) skin complaint common to pregnant women. Skin tags usually grows on areas  of the body that are warmer and moisture or frequently rubbed by  other skin or by clothing, including the fold of your neck, your armpits, your torso, beneath your breasts or on your genitals. The only (good) news they are completely benign and most will disappear after delivery.. If your skin tags sticks around , your doctor can remove them.

Heat Rash

Caused by the combination of already overheated pregnant body, dampness from all that extra perspiration and the friction of the skin rubbing against itself or against clothing (as it tends to do when there is more skin to rub ). Heat rash is both super common and super irritating. You can find it anywhere, but its most likely to creep up in the crease between and beneath the breasts. In the crease where the bulge of the lower abdomen rub against the top of a pelvic area and on the inner thighs. A cool damp compress can take some of the heat  out of  your heat rash. Putting on some corn starch based powder after your shower, wearing loose breathable cloths and trying to keep as cool as possible will help minimize discomfort and reoccurrence. A dab of calamine lotion can also be soothing and is safe to use

Tinea Versicular

Tinea is a fungal infection that causes small oval or round , flat, itchy and flaky spots on the skin. The fungus causing the infection disrupts the normal pigmentation of the skin, resulting in discolored, scaly patches. It usually pops up on  the oily part of the body like the chest and back, but can appear anywhere. it can be exacerbated when you're expecting. Treatment includes anti-fungal shampoos like head and shoulders(yes on your body) or anti-fungal creams.

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