Is Skin Tag Growing Bigger, Painful And Red A Cause Of Concern?

Posted on Fri, 19 Jan 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 19 Jan 2018 Answered on

Tue, 24 Jul 2018 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi.I have had a skin tag under my arm for almost 15 years or so but in ladt month or so it is seemingly grown a little bigger and red and it hurts too when touched also it seems to have some discoloration. Is that a cause of concern?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Oral and topical antibiotics

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you.
I am Dr kakkar (Dermatologist and Venereologist). I have noted your concern.

Most like the skin tag has got infected. I suggest you to take an oral antibiotic e.g either Amoxicillin or Cephalexin for a week.
In addition to this I suggest you to apply a topical antibiotic e.g either Neosporin ointment or Mupirocin 2% ointment, twice daily. You may also take an oral anti-inflammatory e.g Ibuprofen tab for symptomatic relief from pain and swelling.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 minute later)

This is how it looks as of now

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Infected skin tag

Detailed Answer:
Thank you. I have viewed the images.

Yes, it is eroded at the distal end and that is the reason it must have got infected. Perhaps the erosion is due to rubbing.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 minute later)

Ok.thank you very much.So there is no conern of it being malignant as that was what inwas worried about since sudden changes to it

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Not a malignancy

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

No. This is not a malignant change. This is expected to resolve in about a week on oral and topical antibiotics.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (2 hours later)

Thank you very much.I feel much better knowing that its not something too bad. Looking up online, eveeything was pointing towards skin cancef.Appreciate your advice.Thank you

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for writing to us.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar