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What Causes Painful, Red And Swollen Skin Tag Under The Arm?

Posted on Fri, 3 Aug 2018

Question: Hi. I have had a skin tag underarm for last 15 years or so.In last few weeks it has turned a lil red and inflamed and had swollen but then it has become small again but now it is also blackish and its painful to touch.Is there anything to be concerned about or can be an infection? Thank you

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (50 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Skin infection of tag

Detailed Answer:
Hello.. Thank you.
I have noted your concern. It is certainly a bacterial skin and soft tissue infection. Skin tag or acrochordan in a body fold site like axilla is prone to irritation from rubbing of opposing body folds against each other. This may cause ulceration of covering skin of tag thus exposing it to bacterial infection causing it to become inflamed with pain, pus/ discharge and swelling. This is what has happened in your case. This infection should resolve with a course of oral and topical antibiotics. This recent change is not a sign of malignancy. Acrochordan never turns into malignancy. So don't worry.
I would suggest that you get this skin tag removed after the infection resolves with oral and topical antibiotics (approx in about a week time) so as to prevent future similar situations.

Hope this helps
Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (3 minutes later)

Ok.thank you once again

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Regarding skin tag

Detailed Answer:
Thank you.

Take care

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (10 hours later)

So it looks like this right now..much different than how it looked last night. Is it getting better?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Continue medication

Detailed Answer:
Thank you. Continue the medicines for a week. It would take a week to heal.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (25 hours later)

What can be done about a little discharge coming from the tag

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

Brief Answer:
Clean with Povidone Iodine Solution

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

You can use Povidone Iodine Solution (Betadine Solution) to clean the area, twice daily, before putting the antibiotic ointment. In addition I suggest you to continue with the oral antibiotics I suggested earlier.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

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

Does it seem like its getting better?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Regarding skin tag

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Looks a little drier but the surface of tag still looks raw.
I suggest you to get this skin tag removed because it would be constantly getting rubbed against between opposing skin surfaces as it is in a body fold and that's why it may take a little longer to heal on medication. It anyways has to be ultimately removed else it will keep getting inflamed again and again. So better to get it removed sooner than wait.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (44 minutes later)

Ok.thank you. Inwill have to schedule an appt with a dermatologist then,might be possible for next week. I will get it removed then.Thank you very much. Should I put a vbandage over it till then just to make sure it does not get so much friction. Also it doesnt look too worrisome to you,right?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Regarding skin tag

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Yes, you can cover it with a bandage. Meanwhile continue with the oral antibiotics. Also take a painkiller e.g Ibuprofen for pain and swelling.
No, it's not worrisome. Certainly not a malignancy.

Regards

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

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

Ok.Thank you very much sir for ur timely advice.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (19 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Thank you.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (41 hours later)

Thank you so much per your advice i had it removed and they even did biopsy and it came back negative. Really appreciate all ur help and ur diagnosis was thorough.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Thank you for your appreciation

Detailed Answer:
You are welcome.

Regards

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana