If you have skin tags that get caught in your clothing or jewelry, you may wish to have them removed. If you have concerns about an unusual looking skin growth and are worried it might be cancerous, Balcones Dermatology & Aesthetics can help.
Board-certified dermatologist David A. Bushore, MD, FAAD, removes skin tags during a minimally invasive procedure. Dr. Bushore also orders testing of suspicious growths to rule out cancer and other skin diseases.
We strongly recommend that you don’t attempt to remove any skin tag on your own. Not only can you damage your skin, but there is also a risk that what you think is a tag is actually a basal cell carcinoma or other skin cancer.
Skin tags are common and tend to grow in the creases of the body, where skin rubs together. Tags are typically small, noncancerous (benign) growths that appear on areas like the neck, eyes, and back.
People with high cholesterol, diabetes, and metabolic disorders tend to develop skin tags. You may also be at increased risk for the growths due to hormone changes, pregnancy, and obesity.
In general, skin tags are harmless and don’t require treatment. However, you can request to have skin tags removed if they:
You might also be a candidate for skin tag removal if you have one or more growths on your face or other visible areas and you feel self-conscious about your appearance.
Skin tags are almost always non cancerous, but certain skin cancers can be mistaken for a benign skin tag.
Basal cell carcinoma is a skin cancer triggered by exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) light of the sun. Cancerous changes occur in the basal cells that line the epidermis, which cause tumors on the skin’s surface. Initially, the tumor may look like a harmless tag that’s ignored.
Melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer, can also cause surface-level tumors that resemble skin tags. Without prompt diagnosis, melanoma can spread to other areas of the body and cause potentially life-threatening complications.
A good rule of thumb is to schedule a skin evaluation at Balcones Dermatology & Aesthetics as soon as you notice any new skin growths or if an existing mole or skin tag suddenly changes in size, shape, or color.
Board-certified dermatologist David A. Bushore, MD, FAAD, checks your skin for suspicious growths during a physical exam. He uses his expertise to identify abnormal growths in between your toes and in other areas where skin cancers can hide.
When he identifies skin tags that you wish to remove, Dr. Bushore uses a razor or sharp surgical scissors to cut it off. He also offers cryosurgery and uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy unwanted skin tags.
In the event a growth appears cancerous. Dr. Bushore uses minimally invasive techniques to remove it and send it to a medical lab for further evaluation. If the sample comes back positive for cancer, he discusses your options for surgery, radiation therapy, and other treatments to prevent cancer from spreading.
Call Balcones Dermatology & Aesthetics in Austin, Texas, today to book an evaluation for painful skin tags or use the online feature to schedule an appointment.
