Acrochordon looks like a wart but has no malignant potential – 05/06/2023 – Equilibrium

As the years passed, I noticed more and more skin tags sprouting in strange places on my body. What are they, exactly? And is there anything I can (and should) do to get rid of them?

Acrochordon is the name given to the balls that appear more frequently in the body as we age. The structure can appear in unusual places: on the neck, under the arms, perhaps even in the groin. And for many people they can be extremely irritating – especially if they get caught in jewelry or clothing, or when they bleed occasionally.

Research suggests that more than half of adults will develop at least one acrochordon in their lifetime.

The good news, according to Angela Lamb, a dermatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, is that they are harmless. “They’re completely benign,” she says. “They have zero malignant potential.”

But because skin tags can be associated with other conditions, it’s important to understand how to spot them and when to see a healthcare professional.

What are acrochordons and why do they develop?

Skin tags are soft growths that protrude from the surface of the skin. They can vary in appearance, but are usually about the size of a grain of rice and can be skin-colored or darker.

Because they can sometimes resemble the lesions associated with skin cancer, it’s usually wise to see a doctor if you’re not sure. “Anything that worries you, any new growth that appears on the skin, it’s a good idea to get it checked out,” says Lamb.

As for the causes, nobody really knows, she says. They are more likely to appear with age and tend to break out on parts of the body that rub against each other.

They’re also more common in pregnant women, so hormones may play a role, adds Lamb. They also tend to be genetic, so “if your parents had acrochordons, you probably will,” she says.

Some research suggests that the presence of skin tags is associated with insulin resistance, a precursor to type 2 diabetes. “If you’re having a lot of them,” says Whitney Bowe, a dermatologist in Westchester County, New York, “you should show your doctor.” , who may recommend blood tests.

how to get rid

Since they don’t pose any risk, there’s no need to remove the acrocordons, says Lamb. However, some people prefer to take them off because they find them ugly or annoying.

The safest way to get it removed is with the help of a dermatologist, Bowe points out.

One available method involves numbing the surrounding area with an injection of lidocaine and then cutting it with sharp, curved scissors. The wound is then treated with a chemical that stops bleeding and helps prevent infection.

Another common in-office approach to removal is electrodissection, says Bowe, which involves numbing the area with lidocaine and then using a special instrument that delivers an electrical current to the site, killing the tissue.

In a third approach, known as cryotherapy, the doctor dips a forceps-like instrument into liquid nitrogen and squeezes the base of the skin tag, which essentially destroys it and causes it to fall off within days, says Bowe. Freezing itself doesn’t hurt, but you may feel some pain when the tissue thaws.

After removal by a doctor, it is good to cover the wound with a thin layer of ointment, such as Vaseline, and an adhesive bandage. The skin usually heals within a week, says Lamb.

There are some popular home remedies for removal, but dermatologists don’t recommend them. One involves cutting off an acrochordon’s blood supply by tying a piece of string or dental floss around the base, causing it to die and fall off.

“The problem with doing this is that there’s a high risk of infection,” Bowe says, because germs often seep into the wound after the skin tag falls off.

Another popular but unwise home approach involves applying an acid, such as apple cider vinegar or salicylic acid, over the frame. “You’re literally burning the acrochordon,” Bowe points out. But “it also tends to burn the surrounding skin,” she says, causing damage that can lead to skin darkening, something that can persist for months.

Lamb added that people can also experience strong reactions to the acid, including allergic reactions, which can lead to scarring or infection.

While many people would prefer their acrochordon removed, managing them can sometimes feel like a game, says Bowe.

“If you’re prone to bruises,” he points out, “they’ll likely grow back or you’ll get new ones.”