If you see a tiny skin growth somewhere on your child’s body, don’t panic immediately! It can be a skin tag and is usually painless. The exact cause of skin tags is unknown, but several factors can determine if a child develops these skin growths, and should investigate skin tags. Let’s read on to learn all about skin tags in children.
What are skin tags?
Skin tags are usually small growths of the skin. They can affect anyone of any gender or age, even children. They are generally only a few millimeters long, about the grain size, and are harmless. They are called papillomas.
The causes of skin tags in children
What Causes Baby Skin Tags? Let’s talk about a few reasons:
Intrauterine Development
Sometimes, a child may be born with skin tags near the ears or elsewhere on the body. The ones closest to the ears are usually at the front because the cartilage that forms a baby’s ears has not yet fully thickened to take on the proper ear shape. These are harmless, but you may consider removing them for visual reasons.
Skin-to-skin friction
These areas are prone to skin tags due to frequent rubbing and rubbing. The most common sites are the armpits, neck, and groin. If a child is overweight or obese, their skin has extra folds and is more prone to skin chafing and skin tags, the underarms and neck being the most common.
Disease
Children with diabetes or HPV infection are more likely to develop skin tags.
Genetic causes
If your child was born with or has a skin tag, it may be because it is genetic. One of the parents or grandparents may have a skin tag.
Where are skin tags in children?
Skin tags in children are found commonly in the following areas:
- Eyelid
- Groin
- Neck
- Armpit
- Hip fold earwax common for newborns
- Lip tags are common in children
Are skin tags harmful and contagious?
While seeing a skin tag on your child may make you panic, you can relax knowing that skin tags are completely harmless and benign. They are just extra skin growths and will not harm your baby. They are also non-cancerous and will remain so if left untreated in most cases. However, to be sure, if the skin tag bleeds, changes color, or grows longer, it’s best to take your child to the doctor, who may perform a biopsy. Skin tags are also not contagious.
how to treat children’s Skin tags
Skin tags can usually go untreated because they are medically harmless. However, if you become aware of skin tags on your child, here are some treatments:
Laser ablation
You can visit a dermatologist or surgeon and have skin tags removed via laser. This method is slightly more expensive compared to other treatments.
Excision
This surgical procedure involves removing the skin tag with a scalpel while the child is under anesthesia.
It is important to remember that surgery never recommends for babies. Wait until your child is older to consult a dermatologist to remove a skin tag, especially if it has become too large or too conspicuous. Never try to remove it yourself at home, as you could injure or infect your child. After treatment
How to Care for Your Child’s Skin Treatments
Afterward, children usually develop blisters on the skin. While the various treatment procedures are harmless, the skin area takes about ten days to heal. Make sure not to expose it to the sun and to keep your child indoors for the first few days after treatment.
Skin tags may not seem very pleasant, but they are harmless, and you don’t have to worry about them. If they are small, you can consider leaving them untreated for the rest of your child’s life. Still, if they are large and begin to affect your child’s self-confidence, then you can decide to remove the skin tag with an appropriate consultation Certified dermatologist.
