Also known as fibroma pendulum, skin tags are small tags of skin. They could have a stalk or peduncle and they basically look like small, soft pieces of hanging skin. Skin tags cause no symptoms unless they are repeatedly scratched or rubbed and they are always non-cancerous. Large skin tags could burst under pressure and shaving and wearing certain types of jewelry and clothing could cause them to form or rupture.
Skin tags comprise a core of ducts and fibers, fat cells, nerve cells and are covered by the epidermis. Some individual are more susceptible to skin tags than others. Obese or overweight individuals, expectant mothers and diabetics are among the individuals who are more vulnerable to skin tags.
Skin tags are quite common and they typically surface after midlife. They are caused by bunches of trapped blood vessels and collagen inside thicker parts of the skin. They occur as a result of skin abrasion. As a result, skin tags are usually found in the creases and folds of the skin.
Any surface of the body can be affected by skin tags; however, they most typically appear in parts of the body where skin is most likely to rub against skin. These areas include:
- Upper chest
- Eyelids
- Under the breasts
- Armpits
- Groin
- Neck
Although you can’t stop them from forming, there are some basic steps that can be taken to minimise the likelihood of their development. Although the removal of skin tags is curative, individuals with the tendency to develop them are likely to develop more over time. It may become necessary to undergo additional procedures or apply a well known skin tag cream to remove future skin tags.
Below are some tips on how to prevent skin tags:
Adopt a Healthier Lifestyle
As was previously established, the presence of skin tags can be an indication of your overall health. For those engaging in an unhealthy lifestyle that includes the consumption of excess sugar and saturated fats, skin tags could be signaling an underlying health condition. Studies have revealed that skin tags could be a symptom of prediabetes. As such, it is important to take steps towards losing weight and becoming healthier overall.
To fully understand how to prevent skin tags, you should consider why they are forming in the first place. As established, the skin of obese and overweight individuals has more folds; therefore, more sweating and skin-on-skin rubbing takes place. These actions play a significant role in the development of skin tags. To prevent them from forming, you need to get active and modify your diet.
Getting rid of excess weight will cause you to have fewer folds in your skin and sweat less. You should avoid fad diets and ensure your weight loss plan is safe and healthy. The prevention of skin tags will result from a consistent lifestyle modification and not a fad diet.
In addition, fewer pounds mean fewer hormonal changes. In addition to dietary changes, it is important to do cardio and weight training exercises to tone your muscles. This will reduce the presence of loose-hanging or stretched skin.
Success will not be achieved overnight; however, you will start to see results from making some basic changes. Studies have indicated that reducing your sugar intake is vital. Additionally, a direct link between diabetes and skin tags has been identified; therefore, sugar reduction is vital.
Avoid Wearing Tight Clothing
Wearing tight clothing causes the skin to constantly rub against the fabric of the clothes. It also prevents the skin from breathing easily. Fashion often dictates how we dress; however, you should avoid consistently wearing tight clothes regardless of how stylish you find them.
In addition, wearing jewellery could also contribute to the development of skin tags. For example, wearing a necklace on a regular basis could result in skin tags growing on your neck. This is because of the friction caused by the piece of jewellery.
Wearing clothing with a looser fit can give you a more relaxed style without compromising your fashion sense. Furthermore, allowing your skin to breathe will cause you to sweat less. Jewellery and tight clothing can actually be worn on special occasions; just avoid wearing them too often. Modifying your behaviour and doing things in moderation will help you to prevent skin tags from forming.
Use Powders to Reduce Friction
As previously stated, skin tags tend to develop around parts of the body like the neck, groin, legs, under the breasts and armpits. Applying medicated powder can assist in keeping the area drier; thereby, reducing friction and irritation. Avoid using scented powders as they could cause additional irritation.
While being knowledgeable about preventing skin tags is always better than treating or having them removed, factors will be there that you cannot control. It is hard to avoid hormonal changes and for expectant mothers, they are impossible to escape. However, following the previously outlined guidelines on how to prevent skin tags can assist you in looking and feeling better.
For individuals who already have skin tags, there are a number of techniques that can explored to have them removed. For tips on skin tag removal at home, be sure to see our comprehensive guide.