Dermatological Services
Services
AMA Medical Group can help with the safe examination and removal of skin tags as part of our dermatology services. We provide one-on-one personalized care, consultations, and treatment of the skin, which is the largest organ of the body.
Sometimes skin moles, growths, or marks can be a sign of cancer. Skin tags, known as acrochordons in the medical profession, are generally not a cause for concern. For patients that are ready to be rid of their skin tags, AMA Medical Group can help.
What Are Skin Tags?
Men and women develop skin tags, which are simply painless, noncancerous skin growths. A peduncle, or a thin strand of skin, connects the tag to the body which can show up just about anywhere. It’s the peduncle that helps identify the growth as a harmless skin tag. Moles and other skin growths lack that fibrous stalk.
Most of the time skin tags are quite small and under two millimeters in size. They are soft to the touch and can be smooth or wrinkly, and usually they are not discolored. Patients typically find a skin tag in a fold of the skin surrounding the armpits, chest, eyelids, groin, neck, or thighs.
Are Skin Tags Dangerous?
For the most part, skin tags are not dangerous. They are made up of collagen fibers, fat, nerve cells, and small blood vessels. We don’t know exactly what makes them form, and most patients live for years without paying attention to their skin tags.
However, if a skin tag grows in an unsightly place or if a skin tag ends up causing discomfort, AMA Medical Group can help.
How Are Skin Tags Removed?
Patients seeking skin tag removal have a few different options for dermatological services. For example:
- Electrocautery: a clinical procedure that uses high-frequency electrical energy to burn off the skin tag
- Cryotherapy: a freezing technology that uses liquid nitrogen to kill off the tag and allow it to fall off
- Ligation: a procedure involving tying off the skin tag with surgical thread to cut off its blood flow and remove it
Typically, these procedures don’t even require anesthesia; however, your doctor may use a local injection of anesthesia when removing a large skin tag or several smaller ones at the same time.
It’s not a good idea to try to remove the skin tag on your own, because this could cause bleeding or an infection. AMA Medical Group is well-equipped and experienced in the safe removal of skin tags. We can also provide a careful examination of any lumps, bumps, discoloration, or other areas of concern about your skin health.
What Causes Skin Tags?
The truth is we don’t know exactly why skin tags form. There have been some studies showing the human papillomavirus (HPV) may cause skin tags but more research needs to be done. We also know insulin resistance has some correlation to skin tags. They also commonly form during pregnancy and may be related to hormones and weight gain.
Patients are at greater risk for developing a skin tag if they:
- Are overweight
- Become pregnant
- Have a family history of skin tags
- Have HPV
- Have insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes
When Should You Seek Treatment for Skin Tags?
If the skin tag is rubbing on clothing or jewelry or if it is bleeding, it’s time to see a doctor. Warts and moles can resemble skin tags, and some of these growths can turn cancerous. Any skin growth should always be examined by your primary care provider or nurse practitioner simply to ensure that it’s a benign growth.
Contact Us
At AMA Medical Group, we are here to provide dermatological services for those who need it. If you have a skin tag you would like to have a professional take a look at, contact us at (727) 331-8740 to schedule your appointment.
