Excess weight is seldom a good thing for anyone, as it tends to cause further physical issues that can sometimes be difficult to deal with. One of those potential issues is the development of skin tags. And while skin tags are a nuisance more than anything else, if research concludes they are related to excess body weight in some cases, that just provides further motivation for us to make sure we avoid weight gain.
Research indicates that one possible cause of skin tags is excess friction applied to a given area of skin. In such cases the body may be responding by encouraging a more rapid than normal production of skin cells. These skin cells will grow up and out, in response to the friction, forming the stalk-like skin tag.
This helps to explain why obese individuals tend to develop skin tags primarily in the arm pits, the groin, and under the breasts. These three locations are very prone to large flaps of skin that will rub on one another throughout the course of the day.
If friction is indeed a factor in overweight individuals, it forces the question of why skin tags form rather the calluses. The answer to that might be related to the type of impact on the affected skin. Calluses tend to form when the skin is traumatized, such as in a guitar player whose fingers are cut by the guitar strings.
Where the skin friction from excess weight is concerned, it is both low-impact and gradual rather than sudden and traumatic. This would account for the gradual build-up of skin cells that result in the stalk-like growth. Interestingly, unlike calluses, the core of a skin tag tends to contain some fatty tissue in addition to the skin cells.
For most of us, excess weight is normally within the 25-30 lb. range and something we can live with. When we develop skin tags as a result of excess weight, we tend to be more like to have them removed. But in individuals who are obese, the same dynamic doesn’t always apply.
Unfortunately, in many obese people, a lack of self-confidence and life purpose causes them to reach a point where the excess weight no longer matters. Even when it still does matter, many believe they will never be able to lose it and simply stop trying. Not only does this perpetuate the weight issue, it also perpetuates the skin tag issue.
If skin tags grow on the face and neck, they can be a very embarrassing issue that simply adds to the misery. It can very easily turn into an ongoing issue which can completely destroy the self-image of the patient.
Because skin tags are so easily treated, there’s no reason why individuals have to live with them. There are a number of natural home remedies and all-natural over-the-counter products that have proven very successful in removing skin tags. With these remedies you can safely and effectively bring an end to the unsightly growths without danger of scarring or skin irritation.
Although natural remedies work in almost every case, where they do fail you always have the option of seeing your doctor. He may utilize a chemical treatment, or he may suggest cauterization (burning), cryotherapy (freezing), or surgical excision. Be aware that these more aggressive treatments can irritate the skin and leave scars.
Finally, if you have any concerns that the growths on your skin are more than just skin tags, be sure to let your doctor know. He may decide to take a sample and send it to a lab for biopsy.
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