• Balagani Laxman 

People are concerned when they observe a development coming from the skin. There are numerous skin growths that lots of people experience and the most typical one is called skin tags. They are small, balloon-like development suspended on a slim stalk. These tags are fairly normal; but, their causes are yet to be discovered. The common belief is that they grow because of the friction present amid nearby areas of skin or between skin or clothing. They are usually found at the bottom of the neck, eyelids, underarms, buttock folds, groin folds, and beneath the breasts.

Skin tags generally do not instigate physical pain unless it gets aggravated, particularly if they are situated in a frequently irritating area such as the groin or the collar. If it hinders the way of the daily routine of an individual, then it’s time he/she makes use of ways to get rid of it.

The major cause of eliminating skin tags is when it turns out to be irritating and begins to bleed, or it turns black from twirling. However, skin tags do not need any treatment if it does not provide you with any discomfort. If you happen to force it to be eliminated, it may induce severe pain and bleeding. These tags, particularly the small varieties will fall off naturally without causing any pain.

Size, appearance, and colour

Skin tags are distinguished based on their size, appearance, and colour. The attribute that distinguishes skin tags from various other skin growths is the peduncle. Certain skin growths like warts, moles and freckles typically tend to stick with your skin. Skin tags, however, hang off your skin by a tiny stalk. The majority of skin tags are tiny. Their size is tinier than two millimetres. However, they could develop larger for some more centimetres. Skin tags are generally smooth to your touch and are typically round. However, they can be wrinkly or round, and asymmetrical. Certain skin tags are observed as threadlike and appear identical to a rice grain. When it comes to the color of the skin tag, it varies from the lightest [color resembles that of your flesh] to the darkest [black]. The skin color implies the blood flow amount that runs through it.

Skin tag turning black

People sometimes just can’t stop themselves from touching the skin tags. They at times deliberately get it twirled or by chance get it that way. However, when that occurs, there are chances that it may turn black. A clotted or thrombosed skin tag could become black when there’s a shortage of blood flow running through it. This is a result of hyperpigmentation that happens when there is a surplus of melanin. This is what makes your skin tag look black compared to the usual surrounding skin.

Are black or dark skin tags cancerous? Certainly not. Irrespective of the color, the tags do not belong to the cancerous variety and they cannot develop any cancer. When the tags alter the color to purple or black, there isn’t anything to be concerned about. It will naturally fall off in approximately 3 – 10 days. You need not apply anything or make use of any device to get rid of it. However, if you want to get it removed straight away, you can try using apple cider. Dab some cotton with cider over your skin tag and then cover it using a bandage for around 15-30 minutes. You can replicate this on a daily basis until the tag falls off.

What do skin tags have to do with your overall health?

Though skin tags are common and will go off after some days, they could sometimes mean entirely something else. studies have shown that they might be early indicators of any serious condition too. They have been categorized as a cosmetic issue and their medical importance is frequently overlooked. There are different medical terms utilized to address these tags. They include acrochordon, skin fibroma, fibroepithelial polyps and cutaneous tags.

Though medical experts still do not have any clear views about how these tags grow, they have a general theory that the chafing present on your skin that touches each other cause it. Although medical professionals still have unclear views about how skin tags develop, they have a theory that the friction present on skins touching each other triggers the survival of a skin tag. However, they do not put up the shutters to the likelihood that another aspect of its existence is a viral infection. Some state that these tags are induced by hyperinsulinemia. This is due to the fact that insulin is labelled as a growth-stimulating hormone. If the tags are observed under the microscope, they possess a fibrovascular core that causes mild chronic inflammation.

Lipid disorders

Lipid disorders are said to be linked with skin tag happenings. Tay-Sachs disease and Gaucher disease are the ones that are linked with the lipids. If you possess a lipid disorder, it means that you possess high blood levels of LDL [low-density lipoprotein] cholesterol. High levels of such substances will ultimately increase your threat of giving rise to heart disease. These disorders are generally diagnosed through a lipid profile test. You shouldn’t eat anything the night before the test. It will help measure the LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and cholesterol level, in general.

Skin tags, no matter their color, size and look, should be checked by your doctor for screening. This is quite significant, particularly if the size, color and look alter for a short time.