Elkton Skin Tag, Cyst, Mole & Wart Removal

A skin tag is a common type of skin growth that looks like a piece of hanging skin and most often develops on the neck, underarms, eyelids and under the breasts often as a result of clothing rubbing against the skin. Most skin tags are acquired, although some people are born with them.

While skin tags are not cancerous and don’t cause problems unless they are continuously irritated, many people choose to have them removed for precautionary or cosmetic purposes. There are several different ways to effectively remove skin tags, including freezing, burning and removing with scissors. Small tags may be removed without the use of anesthesia, while larger ones may require a local anesthetic. These treatments are usually effective in removing the growth, but may cause temporary skin discoloration or bleeding. Your doctor will decide which treatment option is best for you.

Sebaceous cysts, commonly known as just cysts, are small, closed sacs that contain solid or fluid material and can be found anywhere on the skin. They develop as an infection, often from a swollen hair follicle, and require treatment to prevent it from enlarging or becoming cancerous.

Cyst removal is done through surgical excision. A small incision is made in the area of the cyst and then the cyst and surrounding tissue will be removed to ensure complete excision. A local anesthetic is used for this procedure. Most cysts do not return when thoroughly removed. Some patients are left with a small scar after a cyst is removed, which can be further treated with a reconstructive treatment, although most scars will fade over time.

Moles are pigmented skin lesions that appear on the skin, most often developing during childhood, although some may appear later in life as well. These growths usually appear as brown or black spots that may be raised or flat. While usually not harmful, some moles may develop into melanoma, and may also be of cosmetic concern to some patients.

Fortunately, there are several effective treatment options available to remove moles and produce smooth, beautiful skin. Most treatments involve removing the entire mole, which may include surgical excision, freezing, burning or laser therapy. Your doctor will determine the best treatment for you depending on the depth, location and color of the mole, as well as your age and overall health.

Warts are skin growths caused by viruses. Different warts respond to different treatments. Some go away on their own. Salicylic acid products (in the form of drops, gels, pads and bandages) can help self-treatment of many warts by dissolving the keratin protein that makes up the wart and the dead skin above it. Others can be removed via liquid nitrogen freezing or electrical stimulation. Surgery may be recommended for painful or large warts that do not respond to these treatments.