Skin tags are a very common skin lesion and is basically a small section of skin that hangs from the surrounding area. They are benign lesions, so are non cancerous and rarely cause any damage, problems or discomfort. However, the most common places for skin tags are around the neck, eyelids, armpits and upper chest. Because of this you may find that your clothes rub against them regularly, and in some cases this may cause some pain and an inflammation of the area. This is still nothing to worry about but you may want to consider having skin tags removed if this is the case. They are more common in women than men and middle aged people than young people but anyone can get them.

1- A skin tag is purely skin. There is an overlap of outer skin that encases an inner layer of skin. For this reason they are rarely harmful and any paid or discomfort from skin tags is usually because they have been rubbed or irritated regularly.

2- It is most common to find skin tags around the neck, upper chest, shoulders, armpits, eyelids and the groin. Wearing a collar or walking can skin tags that are in the wrong place and this is why most people consider removal. The removal is a very simple procedure that in some cases can be completed by your physician.

3- A skin tag can be removed by using liquid nitrogen to freeze it off or through a simple surgical procedure. This procedure will only usually involve a local anesthetic to numb the area around the skin tags although depending on the place and the size of skin tags a general anesthetic may be the preferred option.

4- Skin tags are benign, meaning they are non cancerous. It is very unusual for a biopsy to be performed on skin tags but this may be an option that your physician wants to look at. A biopsy means that a small part (or the whole area) of the skin tags are sent away to the laboratory to be tested.

5- While the operation is painless and very straightforward there is no need to have skin tags removed unless they are getting rubbed or irritated on a regular basis. You should seriously consider whether it is absolutely necessary before requesting a removal.