By Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A.
Associate Professor of Family Medicine
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine

SKIN TAGS HARMLESS, NEED DIAGNOSIS BY PHYSICIAN BEFORE TREATMENT

Question: I am 65 years old and have been bothered by moles (sometimes called skin tags) mostly in the neck area. I have had some removed in areas that might cause a problem. Is there a topical medicine I can apply to make these go away?
Answer: Skin tags, or “acrochordon” in medical lingo, are very common benign skin lesions. A skin tag is not the same thing as a mole. Since you seem to be confused on this point, the first thing to do is to see your family physician or a dermatologist to confirm that you actually have skin tags.

Assuming that what you have are skin tags, I’ll devote the rest of today’s column to this common skin problem. Why some people develop skin tags is still a mystery. However, we do know that they are caused by an overgrowth of skin, and the incidence increases with age. In fact, more than 25 percent of the population past midlife have them. Further, we know that they tend to run in families and are more common in obese people.

Skin tags are most common in the creased skin of the armpit, groin region and neck. They usually appear flesh colored but can be brown. These tiny skin protrusions often have a small, narrow stalk connecting the skin bump to the surface of the skin, but sometimes they can be flat.

Skin tags do not grow or change. They are usually painless, however, sometimes friction from clothing rubbing against the skin tags can cause irritation.

No treatment is needed for a skin tag, but many people want them removed. Often the person feels they are unsightly and detract from his or her appearance. Another reason cited for removal is that they have become inflamed or sore because of the friction with clothing that I mentioned.

Skin tags can be removed easily in a doctor’s office. The doctor may cut them off with no local anesthetic if they are very small. Usually they snip right off, but some can be frozen with cryocautery or burned off with electrocautery. Skin tags that are removed from an adult generally do not have to be sent to a pathologist for review. However, if a skin tag is removed from a child, a pathologist’s review is necessary because childhood skin tags can sometimes be cancerous.

Now, to answer the last part of your question, which asked about topical medicine for removal of skin tags.

I looked over several Web sites that tout over-the-counter topical treatments for skin tags. I do not know if they work. I did find one site that said the medication it was touting would get rid of the skin tags after three months of use, but that the tags would recur when the medication was stopped.

If you want to get rid of your skin tags, I’d recommend the surgical route. This is because once they are removed surgically by your doctor, skin tags do not usually recur. The “down side” is, however, that your insurance may not cover this simple procedure as it is seen as “cosmetic.”

As I said at the beginning, my strongest caution is not to attempt self-treatment of your skin problem until you have had the diagnosis confirmed by your family physician. Also discuss your plans for self treatment with him or her before starting any OTC medication, even a topical cream.

Family Medicine® is a weekly column. To submit questions, write to Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A., Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, P.O. Box 110, Athens, Ohio 45701, or via e-mail to readerquestions@familymedicinenews.org. Medical information in this column is provided as an educational service only. It does not replace the judgment of your personal physician, who should be relied on to diagnose and recommend treatment for any medical conditions. Past columns are available online at www.familymedicinenews.org.