Skin tags in babies are characterized by small nodules of excess skin growth on the body. It is not unusual to see these extra skin growths on the baby’s body, but you need not panic. These may feel soft or fleshy when touched. The medical terminology for a skin tag includes fibroma pendulum, fibroepithelial polyp, or acrochordon (1). Read this post to understand the causes, harmful side effects, treatment options, and natural remedies for managing skin tags on a baby’s body.
What Is A Skin Tag?
A skin tag is a small flap of tissue that hangs from the skin via a fleshy tissue called “stalk” or a “peduncle.” Skin tags are usually skin-colored and found on several parts of the body. If a tag twists on its stalk, then it may develop a blood clot, which may cause the skin tag to appear red or black in color. The size of a tag could range from 1mm to 1cm. A skin tag is usually painless and not associated with any underlying disease.
Where Are Skin Tags Found On Babies?
Skin tags on babies could occur in these parts of the body (2).
Eyelids Groin Neck Armpits Ears
Skin tags tend to grow in skin folds. Therefore, you may see them in various other places than those mentioned here.
What Causes Skin Tags In Babies?
The presence of skin tags on babies may not always indicate underlying pathology. However, there are a few known reasons that may lead to skin tags. All these studies are done on adults, and there are few studies on the reasons for skin tags on babies.
Are Skin Tags Contagious?
Skin tags are not contagious. Exception are HPV skin tags (8). You should always seek a doctor’s advice to know if your baby’s skin tags are contagious.
Are Skin Tags On Newborns Harmful?
Skin tags on a newborn are not harmful in most cases. A skin tag might cause discomfort if it comes in the way of closing a zip or buttoning the clothes. It is always recommended to seek a pediatrician’s advice if you spot a skin tag on a newborn, irrespective of whether the skin tag causes discomfort or not.
Ear Tags In Newborns
Ear tags are skin tags that appear close to the ear. They can be a cluster of fat, skin, and cartilage – all placed together in an appendage, which is medically called preauricular tag (5).It might happen due to improper fusion of the ear’s tissues during the development of the embryo (9). Preauricular tags could manifest as tags or dimples. Ear tags may occur with other congenital abnormalities, such as cleft palate, heart defect, and conditions like Goldenhar Syndrome (9) (10). Speak to your newborn’s doctor about it.
Natural Remedies To Remove Skin Tags
A few natural remedies are considered helpful for skin tags on anecdotal accounts. These remedies may help shrink skin tags, thus making them disappear gradually. Do not try natural remedies if skin tags are in sensitive areas. Skin tags around eyes and groins are best left to be treated by a doctor. For skin tags on the torso or other non-sensitive parts, you could consider the following remedies.
Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil was used in ancient times for skin ailments owing to its antimicrobial properties (11). It is unknown if they can work on skin tags. You may soak a cotton ball in tea tree oil and dab it on a skin tag several times a day for a few days.
Banana peel: It is said that the insides of a banana peel might help the skin dry up and eventually cause the skin tag to fall. You can scrape the inside of a banana peel and apply the pulpy paste to a skin tag multiple times a day for a few days.
Natural remedies for skin tags are anecdotal, and there is no scientific backing to them. Also, infants can be sensitive to the items used as a remedy. Therefore, do not use natural remedies on newborns or infants.
What Is The Treatment For Skin Tags?
Skin tags are not always troublesome and do not always need medical intervention. It is recommended to get them removed only if they are causing the baby trouble. The doctor may suggest any of the following treatments. A doctor will suggest the best treatment option based on the type of skin tag and its location. If a skin tag is harmless, then they may suggest leaving it untouched.
What Will Happen If Skin Tags Are Left Untreated?
Skin tags that do not bother your babies may be left untreated. If your baby’s doctor says that a skin tag does not require treatment, then there is nothing to worry about it. You may have to take the baby to a doctor for a periodic examination of the tag. It is a good idea to document photographs of the tags at regular time intervals to monitor any changes in size, shape, or color. Always report bleeding, change in color or size, and swelling in the tag to a doctor.
