Another skin tag? Not again 🙁
A beautiful baby is not the only thing that comes after the pregnancy. The body most definitely takes a 180 degrees shift. Out of all the changes that happen to your body during pregnancy, finding a new skin tag on your body is not what you expect. But turns out skin tags during pregnancy are as common as stretch marks.
These usually occur during the second trimester of pregnancy. Although there are no exact estimates for how common these skin tags are, you might find them popping on your breasts, neck, and even vagina.
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What are Skin Tags?
Skin tags are small and benign skin growths. These often form in the areas of skin where there are folds, like the neck, armpits, and under the breasts.
Studies say that more than half of adults have skin tags. These can begin to form in children as well and as young as 10 years old.
There are a number of theories about skin tags during pregnancy and as to what causes skin tags to develop. But before we dig into that, let’s discover where these are formed.
Where do Skin Tags Form?
Pregnancy skin tags can appear at any common skin tag site. These can be folds of the neck, breasts, armpits, or vagina.
It is believed that skin tag formation is due to increased friction. So, these can occur more frequently in areas where there is weight gain. Now, everyone gains weight in different areas during pregnancy, so the site keeps varying.
There is no study or research that can tell you how many skin tags during pregnancy will be formed.
No matter where your skin tags develop, these usually are harmless and don’t cause problems (unless they become caught). They can get snagged by jewelry or certain clothes and may cause irritation in the skin or even pain.
What Causes Skin Tags?
Although the exact cause of skin tags is not known, a few factors that can trigger pregnancy skin tags include:
Hormonal Fluctuations
Hormonal fluctuations can stimulate the growth of superficial skin layers. Some women also experience aggravated skin tags during pregnancy. Some experts at Capital Diagnostic Center also say that the growth of the skin tags depends on sex hormones i.e. progesterone and estrogen.
This also explains the growth of skin tags seen during puberty and in pregnancy. These that’s why fade away during menopause.
Weight Gain
A top dermatologist Dr. Mahvish Aftab Khan who has an experience of 12 years, says that one of the most dermatological issues found in pregnant women is skin tags. As far as friction is concerned, it is believed to be one of the reasons behind skin tag formation.
This is because friction always increases when there is more fat in the body and that occurs with weight gain. So, skin tags during pregnancy can be caused by weight gain.
Read, how to gain weight if you think you are too skinny as a pregnant woman.
Other Causes
Along with these causes that might cause skin tags, other causes can be insulin resistance, obesity, diabetes mellitus, high mast cell cunt, and the presence of the human papillomavirus.
What are Skin Tag Removal Methods?
Although the pregnancy skin tags do disappear after you give birth, don’t mind if they decide to stay. In such a case you can always look for treatment options to safely remove skin tags.
Excision – This procedure involves physically cutting and snipping off the skin tags with the help of a scalpel or scissors. There might be a need for stitches if the skin tags during pregnancy are too big.
Cryosurgery – Cryosurgery involves the use of liquid nitrogen for freezing and removal of skin tags.
Cauterization – With cauterization, skin tags are removed by burning the tag with high levels of electrical energy or heat.
Vitamin A has great properties, but it must be avoided at all costs during pregnancy as it can impact the fetus’s development.
Can You Remove Skin Tags at Home?
During pregnancy, it is best not to use harsh chemicals or treatments on the skin. These are some of the treatment options that you can attempt at home to naturally dry off the skin tags.
Tea Tree Oil
A popular skin treatment is tea tree oil which has antifungal and antibacterial properties. This helps a lot in reducing inflammation. It is also used as a great spot treatment for skin tags during pregnancy, that has been irritated or pulled.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is acidic in nature and has great drying properties. It is very beneficial in drying the skin tags that allow them to fall off eventually.
You can use it by applying it on a cotton swab to target only the area where there is a skin tag present. This can reduce the chances of burning the skin.
To read more about apple cider vinegar and its role in weight loss, give it a read.
Garlic
Garlic is not just a vegetable but is one of the best of all. It has great anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties. Garlic can help in making the skin tag feel soft
You can apply fresh garlic or garlic juice on your skin tags during pregnancy and cover it with a clean bandage each day until the skin tag falls off.
When to Visit a Doctor
Pregnancy skin tags are very common and are considered a dermatological change. There are many reasons that can cause skin tags to develop including weight loss and hormonal changes. However, these are painless and benign, if you feel any of the skin tags during pregnancy become painful, then visit a doctor as soon as you can. Book your appointment with the best dermatologists through Healthwire.
