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While most skin tags tend to be close to the color of your own skin, you can sometimes develop a black skin tag. There’s no cause for alarm however, and its a common occurrence. Skin tags come in a variety of sizes, shapes, textures and colors.
The problem is that a black skin tag stands out much more and can be a cause for embarrassment for many. The question many ask is whether these darker skin tags are dangerous or different from a skin colored tag, and can they be treated the same.
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How to Treat a Black Skin Tag
A black skin tag will stand out quite a lot, unless you have darker skin. A skin tag that has been brown or skin colored for a long period could, without warning, turn black. But don’t panic over this sudden change. A black skin tag means that the tag is dying off and will soon fall off of its own accord without needing any extra treatment.
Some will experience itching, irritation or pain, but it is not the skin tag itself that is being affected, rather the skin underneath the tag. Its recommended to use a moisturizer on the area to alleviate these symptoms.
A black skin tag will usually fall off within a few days. However, should it not do so, you can use any number of skin tag removal treatment to speed up the process.
Brown or close to your own skin color
About 95% of skin tags occur in this color. These can be treated with any home remedy or over the counter product. If you have a particularly large skin tag however, you may need to seek professional removal because home removal can cause a lot of bleeding in larger skin tags.
Red Skin Tags
Skin tags can become red when irritated, usually as a result of friction or a feeling or pressure from the inside. Now, some may feel drawn to pop these but its important that you do not. Red skin tags can also cause itchiness or pain around the tag.
Treatment
Treatment for this is the same as you would use for a brown skin tag with one difference. Treatment of red skin tags can take a bit longer than they do for brown tags and you’ll experience irritation for a bit longer.
In some instances a red skin tag means it has become inflamed or has become infected. The tag can be larger in size than usual and cause redness around the area of the tag as well.
Red skin tags should be removed as soon as possible due to them being more sensitive to any friction against any surface. Keep in mind that there will be some bleeding as a result of more blood being in the skin tag itself.
Dealing with Black Skin Tags
You wake up one morning and suddenly find that your skin tag has gone a dark purple or black! Most would be concerned that this is a sign of a skin condition or health issue that is more serious. A black skin tag is medically referred to as being clotted or thrombosed and is really nothing to worry over. However, to put your mind at rest you can speak with your doctor or a dermatologist to alleviate any fears.
Generally, these thrombosed skin tags will fall off on their own in about 3 to 10 days. If yours has suddenly changed color and, after a few weeks has not fallen off, then you should seek some medical advice.
Some people will have always had a skin tag that is black and others will find one that has turned overnight. While this posses no real overall health concern, it does have implications for the skin tag’s health on its own.
There are two main reasons why a skin tag is black, and its more a reason to celebrate because it means the skin tag is dying off and will be gone soon. Do keep an eye on the surrounding skin though to be sure it hasn’t become irritated.
Skin Tag that has Always Been Black
A slight percentage of skin tags will start off as black from the start. While there is no real significance applicable to a black skin tag that starts off as black, its always a good idea to get it checked to make sure it isn’t something more like a mole.
Skin Tag that has Turned Black Suddenly
When a skin tag suddenly becomes black, it means that the tags supply of oxygen has been cut off. When this happens the tag will die and fall off on its own without having to have any kind of treatment.
A big question here is, if you haven’t treated it or done anything to the tag, why has it suddenly moved to the dying off stage? In most cases it is due to the tag becoming twisted, which then starves it of oxygen. It’s a lot like a treatment known as ligation, where the tag is tied off, cutting the blood supply off so that it turns black and falls off on its own.
During this dying off process the area around the skin tag may become tender and red. Applying a nourishing moisturizer will help the skin to heal and recover.
In summary, a skin tag that is black or has turned black is usually a good thing. The skin tag is dying off and will soon fall off without any need of treatment. However, if the skin tag hasn’t gone after a couple of weeks of it turning black, you should have your doctor take a look at it.
Some may wish to speed the process up a bit by applying a treatment like Tea Tree oil or tying the tag off but it will eventually fall off on its own with no help.
