Cutaneous skin tags

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Skin tag

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Cutaneous skin tags

Alternative Names:

Skin tags; Acrochordons

Treatment:

Treatment is usually not necessary unless the cutaneous tags are irritating or are cosmetically displeasing. The growths may be surgically removed, removed by freezing (cryotherapy), or electrically burning off (cautery).

Expectations (prognosis):

Cutaneous tags are generally benign and usually not bothersome. They may become irritated or be cosmetically displeasing. There is usually no regrowth or scar formation cutaneous tags are removed, although new growths may appear elsewhere on the body.

Complications:

There are usually no complications. Occasionally, irritation and discomfort may occur. The skin tags may be cosmetically unsightly.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if cutaneous tags are present and you want them removed, or if the appearance of a cutaneous tag changes.

Review Date: 5/3/2006
Reviewed By: Michael S. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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