Those little pieces of skin that get caught in your clothing are both common and harmless. But if you’re tired of them getting pinched or pulled, you can find help at Dermatology Center of Northwest Houston.
Experienced dermatologist, Lisa Hitchins, MD, PA, offers in-office treatments to get rid of bothersome skin tags once and for all.
Why you have skin tags
Skin tags are small skin growths that can start very small and grow large enough to snag on your clothing or jewelry. These tags are benign (noncancerous) and typically develop on areas of your body where there’s a lot of friction from movement or from your clothes.
Many people have skin tags that grow on their neck and underarms, but the extra flap of skin can also develop on your groin, eyelid, and underneath the breasts.
While men have these growths, women are more likely to develop skin tags as they get older or during a pregnancy due to a hormone imbalance. Skin tags may also be more common in those who are obese or who have underlying medical conditions like:
- Diabetes
- Dyslipidemia
- Crohn’s disease
- High blood pressure
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
If you abuse steroids or regularly use other types of medications, you may be at increased risk for skin tags.
When to consider skin tag removal
Dr. Hitchins and her PA Angela offer a variety of techniques to quickly remove the skin tag without the risk of scarring or other complications.
Customized skin tag removal options
If the dental floss technique doesn’t work, you may need an in-office procedure. To remove one or more skin tags, Dr. Hitchins first determines the best technique for your needs. She may recommend:
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the skin tag and destroy it. As the cold energy kills off the cells of the skin tag, you can expect it to fall off within a few days of your treatment.
Electric cauterization
Skin tags can also be destroyed with heat energy that gently burns the excess flap of skin off the treatment area.
Surgery
For larger skin tags, Dr. Hitchins may need to use minimally invasive surgical techniques to remove the excess skin. She can do this with or without providing you anesthesia, depending on the location of the tag and its size.
If you’re ready to finally address those pesky skin tags, schedule a consultation at Dermatology of Northwest Houston online or by calling the office today.