Are Skin Tags Something To Be Concerned About?

How your dermatologist in Bend, OR, can help with skin tags

Skin tags are one of the most common skin issues. They can be annoying, but they are not cancerous, and not painful, unless they become irritated by rubbing against clothing or other skin. Your dermatologist can remove skin tags easily and completely.

Dr. Gerald Peters at Peters Dermatology Center in Bend, OR, provides comprehensive skincare services, including skin tag removal.

Skin tags are a clump of skin cells attached to a tiny stem. They are typically 1-5 mm. in size but can grow larger.

There are other conditions that can look similar to skin tags, which is why it’s best to seek out the services of a dermatologist to make sure skin tags aren’t actually:

• Moles
• Warts
• Skin cancer
• Skin diseases

Skin tags can appear in folds of skin, where skin rubs against other areas of skin. They commonly form on the:

• Eyelids
• Neck
• Armpits
• Genitals
• Thighs or groin
• Folds under breasts

It may be tempting to use over-the-counter treatments to remove skin tags, but these can be harmful, and can result in:

• Scarring
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Damage to surrounding skin

You can leave skin tags alone if they don’t bother you, because they don’t require any treatment and cause no symptoms. You should seek out professional skin tag removal if you:

• Have skin tags that are irritated
• Have skin tags that bleed
• Are bothered by the appearance and location of skin tags

Your dermatologist can remove skin tags using several different methods, including:

• Freezing, using liquid nitrogen
• Heating, to burn the skin tag
• Shaving, using an instrument

You can help prevent skin tags from forming if you:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise regularly
• Don’t wear jewelry or clothing which rubs against your skin

To find out more about skin tags and when they should be removed, call Dr. Gerald Peters at Peters Dermatology Center in Bend, OR. You can reach him in the office by calling (541) 323-7546, so call today.