Skin Tag
Skin tags, also called acrochordons, are small flesh-coloured or brown growths that hang off the skin and look a bit like warts. They are usually found on the neck, chest, back, armpits, under the breasts or in the groin area, often caused by friction.
Skin tags are not dangerous and very common. They are made up of loosely arranged collagen fibres and blood vessels surrounded by a thick end or thinned-out epidermis.
Skin tags can look smooth or slightly wrinkled and vary in size from 1mm to 5cm. Skin tags usually don’t cause any pain, however, they can be irritated or may end up bleeding if jewellery or clothing or seat belts rub the skin tags. Skin tags can be removed safely with minimal scarring. There are both clinical and home treatments available to remove or stop such skin conditions.
Treatments for Skin Tag
The best thing to do is to book a consultation with a doctor (GP). They will be able to exam the skin tags to make sure that more serious skin problems do not exist. Sometimes moles, warts and skin cancer lesions can be wrongly diagnosed as skin tags.
Causes of Skin Tag
The cause of skin tags is unknown.
Prevention of Skin Tag
It is difficult to prevent skin tags, as they are a natural growth, however, they can be easily removed.
Symptoms of Skin Tag
Skin tags can look smooth or slightly wrinkled and vary in size from 1mm to 5cm. Skin tags usually don’t cause any pain, however, they can be irritated or may end up bleeding if jewellery or clothing or seat belts rub the skin tags. Skin tags can be removed safely with minimal scarring. There are both clinical and home treatments available to remove or stop such skin conditions.
General Warts
Warts are harmless outgrowths on the skin caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. They grow on all body parts including the face, fingers, feet, legs, hands, knees, inside your mouth, and on the genital and rectal areas.
Plantar warts are warts that appear on the bottom or soles of your feet as light brown bumps with tiny black dots in them.
All warts can spread from one person to another with skin contact. Warts may also spread by using towels or other personal items which have been used by a person with warts. Warts can bleed if picked or cut and can cause pain, especially plantar warts.
Diagnosis
Warts will be diagnosed by simple observation of the lesions. Your doctor may scrape the superficial layer of the wart and check for clotted blood vessels and at times a biopsy may be done.
Treatment
Warts disappear naturally but may take months or even years to disappear. However, if the plantar warts are causing pain or spreading, they can be treated with a different type of chemicals such as salicylic acid, liquid nitrogen to freeze warts and also by laser treatment. Applying salicylic acid once or twice a day will help you to destroy warts. If warts do not heal then they may be removed surgically. Warts can be removed under either local or general anaesthetic in a day surgery or doctor's rooms. Which option is chosen depends on the size and number of warts and your particular medical history. Warts can recur even after treatment is used to remove them.
Consultation
Pop in for a free consultation with the nurse. Consultation with the Doctor is $150 and must be booked in advance. We are located in the heart of Botany Town Center Next to TSB bank.