SKIN TAGS / WARTS / MOLES

Skin discoloration is something that some makeup could even hide, but skin tags, warts, or moles are often such out-growths on the skin surface that make-up cannot take care of, and additionally, even when they are flat on the surface, they have an ingrowth under the skin surface, which you’ll want to get rid of.

Skin tags are small pieces of skin that hang out from a tiny stem-like skin portion and occur mostly on the creases and folds of the body like armpits, neck, and other body folds. Warts are also small growths, albeit non-cancerous, caused due to viruses from the HPV (human papillomavirus) family.  The outer layer of the skin becomes hard and thick and they could mostly be found on hands and feet. Moles, unlike warts, are skin growths that are caused by pigment-producing cells and could also have hair growing out of them. They are usually brown in color but could also be blue, black, or skin-colored. Although usually, moles are harmless, they could be a sign of a more serious, underlying issue.

What causes skin tags, warts, and moles?

Skin tags are usually found in creases and folds which has led experts to believe that friction could be a cause of these pesky irritants. However, the exact cause of skin tags is still not clear. They are also believed to appear in people who have a family history of developing skin tags. They also sometimes seem to appear in people with diabetes, linking higher insulin circulation to the formation of skin tags.

Warts, as mentioned before, are caused by the HPV virus and are highly contagious. However, not everyone who comes in contact with HPV develops wart. In case you have any bites or cuts on you, the virus can settle there much easily which is why people who bite fingernails and surrounding skin, have eczema or have other skin conditions that could cause scratching and injuries, are more susceptible to warts. Warts mainly appear in people with a weak immune system, which is how kids are more prone to getting them than adults. In adults as well, people whose immunity system is weakened by medications could develop warts.

Moles are formed due to the pigment-producing cells called melanocytes but the exact cause is still not known. It is believed that a combination of genes and sun damage, leads to the formation of moles. Moles often appear during puberty or pregnancy when the body undergoes hormonal changes and could also be caused and darkened by sun exposure.

Treatment for skin tags, warts, moles

The treatment for skin tags, warts, and moles might vary slightly, depending on what you have and how severe it is.

• For skin tags, a lot of times, procedures like cosmetic surgical excision, cryosurgery, cutting off the skin tag with scissors or scalpel or even electrosurgery could be used
• For getting rid of warts, cosmetic surgical excision or laser skin resurfacing are the procedure options that could be used
• Moles could be removed using medicated peels, cosmetic surgical excision, or laser skin resurfacing.

At PHI Clinic, we approach skin-care with a holistic approach and will ensure that a treatment plan with proper medications and dietary structure is included, if needed, along with the procedure. What procedure to get, would depend on your consultation with our experts, who will guide you through the process step-by-step.