Say goodbye to pregnancy skin tags

Pregnancy can bring with it a whole host of weird and wonderful symptoms. Swollen ankles and cravings are a couple of the most well-known ones, but did you know that skin tags are also a common symptom? Whilst they’re completely harmless, pregnancy skin tags can prove to be an annoyance for many mums-to-be, especially when they catch on clothing and jewellery. The good news is that YourGP can remove them quickly and safely right here in the practice.

What are skin tags?

Skin tags are small, soft, skin-coloured growths that commonly appear on the neck, armpits, around the groin or under the breasts. They are benign, they don’t cause any pain, nor are they contagious. However, they can cause irritation for some people if they get caught on a zip, for example.

How common are skin tags during pregnancy?

Clinical studies show roughly 20% of women experience dermatological changes during pregnancy. Of these dermatological changes, around 12% will present as skin tags, making them a fairly common occurrence.

What causes skin tags in pregnancy?

Skin tags during pregnancy are caused by hormonal changes such as increases in oestrogen and progesterone. These hormonal shifts stimulate skin cell growth, leading to the development of skin tags.

Can skin tags be removed?

The good news is yes, skin tags can be removed safely and effectively using a process called cryotherapy. This involves freezing the area which kills the cells within the skin tag, blocking the blood supply and causing it to eventually drop off. The whole process is over within just a few minutes, although it is worth noting that larger skin tags may require more than one treatment session.

Can I get my skin tags removed during pregnancy?

Here at YourGP, we take patient safety extremely seriously so we would never perform a cryotherapy treatment on someone who is pregnant or breastfeeding. You may find some skin tags that develop during your pregnancy naturally shrink and fall off postpartum due to hormonal changes. But if they don’t and they’re causing you irritation, you can book an appointment to have them removed in minutes at YourGP.

Essential aftercare advice

It usually takes 7-10 days for the skin to heal completely after a cryotherapy treatment. To help with the healing, we advise the following:

• Clean it gently: Wash the area once or twice a day with mild soap and cool water to keep it clean and free from infection. Don’t use products containing harsh ingredients such as alcohol, fragrances or exfoliants.
• Don’t touch the treated area: Touching the treated area can lead to infection and picking the scab can lead to scarring.
• Keep it dry: Moisture and sweat can contribute to skin tag development, so ensure you keep the treated area clean and dry.

Book your appointment

If you would like a trusted medical professional to remove your skin tags, book an appointment at YourGP using our simple online booking system, email reception@your.gp, or call us on 0131 225 5656 and we’ll be happy to arrange an appointment at a time that suits you. Parenthood can bring with it all sorts of challenges and irritations, but dealing with bothersome skin tags needn’t be one of them!