Have you ever heard of "skin tags" ?

Question

I always used to get grossed out when i saw people with them, but now as im getting older i have some under my breasts where my bra would rub in the crease. what are these things? what causes them? how do i get rid of them?

Answer 1

They are excess growths of skin. They are most common on people who are overweight. Not to say that you are. Skinny people are perfectly capable of getting them too. They form in skin folds.

I had one under my arm for about 2-3 years and then it just fell off on it's own. If it is painful, which if it is where your bra is, I imagine it is painful, a doc can remove it. Don't do it yourself. They tend to be heavy bleeders and you don't want that pain or mess.

If they are removed and grow back in the same spot, you should have it tested. Regrowth could be a sign of skin cancer. If they don't hurt, leave them be :)

Answer 2

Easy google search:

http://www.medicinenet.com/skin_tag/article.htm

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000848.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_tag

http://www.amoils.com/skin-tags-removal.html

Acrochordons, aka skin tags, 'pedunculated papillomas' or fibroepithelial polyps, are small benign tumors that form primarily in areas where the skin forms creases, such as the neck, armpits, and groin. They also occur on the face, usually on the eyelids. They range in size from two to five millimeters, although larger ones have been seen. The surface of acrochordons may be smooth or irregular in appearance. Often, they are raised from the surface of the skin on a fleshy stalk called a "peduncle." Microscopically, an acrochordon consists of a fibrovascular core, sometimes also with fat cells, covered by an unremarkable epidermis.

Skin tags are harmless, although they are sometimes irritated by clothing or jewelry. Why and how skin tags form is not entirely known, but there are correlations with age and obesity. They are more common in people with diabetes mellitus and in pregnant women. It is estimated that by age 70, up to 59 percent of people have them. A genetic component (causation) is thought to exist. Rarely, they can be associated with the Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome.

Prior to the age of modern medicine, acrochordons were believed to be one sign of a witches' mark.

Answer 3

A lot of people just clip them off with fingernail clippers- and put a bandaid on them... not sure how sterile or good that would be, but it's a suggestion. Best bet would be to go to the Dr's office and get them removed. Sometimes they grow back, sometimes they dont. If it's where your bra rubs on it, it will probably get sore so removing them would be best.

Answer 4

They are just over growths of the skin cells...nothing horrible. If they bother you (are painful or get caught on your clothing) they're easily removed with liquid nitrogen. I have had several removed and the procedure is painless. They fall off in a couple of days and don't grow back. Nothing to it.

Answer 5

I'm not sure what causes them but I had several under my arm and I had them removed at the doctors office and within about 2 years they came back. As long as they are not painful I would leave them alone. If they are painful you can talk to your doctor about your options.

Answer 6

They are just benign growths. You can tie a piece of thread around the base of the skin tag to cut off the blood supply. After a few days, it will shrivel up and drop off. Simple, but effective.

HTH : )