Skin Tag

[wilde]

Hi Health Nurse, a couple of years ago, I nicked the side of one of my testicles while I was trimming my pubic hair. It was a very small cut and healed quite quickly. Unfortunately, there was a little flap of skin (about half a cm in length) sticking out after it healed that kind of looks like a skin tag (may be it is). Since then I have often been asked what that is by my sexual partners. Most of them believe my story but occasionally I get rejected because of that. I want to have it removed. Can I use those skin tag home remedies or should I go see a doctor. I've been too embarrassed to tell my GP.

Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[PlayfulAlex]

Health Nurse, on the same topic, could you please comment on whether or not skin tags are safe to remove? And, if so, best methods.

I've known some people to have quite large ones that look like cells that just keep growing in a row, so as to develop almost a series of tags, all joined together, dangling down from their body. They have an ugly appearance but people seem afraid to consider removing them.

 

[Health Nurse]

Hi Health Nurse, a couple of years ago, I nicked the side of one of my testicles while I was trimming my pubic hair. It was a very small cut and healed quite quickly. Unfortunately, there was a little flap of skin (about half a cm in length) sticking out after it healed that kind of looks like a skin tag (may be it is). Since then I have often been asked what that is by my sexual partners. Most of them believe my story but occasionally I get rejected because of that. I want to have it removed. Can I use those skin tag home remedies or should I go see a doctor. I've been too embarrassed to tell my GP.

Thanks for your help in advance.

Hi Wilde

It is common for us to see skin tags on the genitals and many people get these confused with genital warts.

I would recommend seeing a doctor for something like this on the genitals. It seems like everyone’s skin is a bit different in terms of how it heals and the chance of getting a scar. It sounds as if you got this initial skin flap from a small cut before. I would just be concerned that a home remedy might increase the chances of a scar or other skin blemish that while not a health problem could result in the same problem of someone wondering what happened.

Some family doctor’s have liquid nitrogen available and are able to treat you in their office. If not they would need to refer you to a dermatologist. I have heard that since this is considered cosmetic treatment that there would be a charge.

Another option that may be good since it seems like you prefer not to mention this to your GP would be to make an appointment at our 12th ave clinic, we have liquid nitrogen and doctors on site. You could say that you are concerned about a flap of skin on your genitals and want to know what it is. They would check it out for you and most likely would offer to freeze it off.

Here is a link to the clinic:
http://www.stiresource.com/clinics/index.php


HN
www.healthnurse.wordpress.com
www.bccdc.ca
www.stiresource.com

 

[Health Nurse]

Health Nurse, on the same topic, could you please comment on whether or not skin tags are safe to remove? And, if so, best methods.

I've known some people to have quite large ones that look like cells that just keep growing in a row, so as to develop almost a series of tags, all joined together, dangling down from their body. They have an ugly appearance but people seem afraid to consider removing them.

Hi PlayfulAlex

Sorry that I can not answer this question as it is something that is outside my nursing experience.

In these situations the best people to see would be a doctor and if they are unsure I would recommend getting referred to a dermatologist. They are the best people to see what a skin growth could be and if it is safe to remove.


HN
www.healthnurse.wordpress.com
www.bccdc.ca
www.stiresource.com

 

[wilde]

Thank you very much for your helpful advice as always. I'll either work up the courage to see my GP or head to the clinic and stay away from the home remedies.