Vaginal skin tags, i.e. skin tags in vaginal area in women,
are harmless growths of extra skin, usually appearing
on the labia which make part of the outer vaginal region
vulva. Besides genital
skin tags, the groin area also sometimes hosts other
skin
growths like polyps, warts, and cysts.
Identifying Vaginal Skin Tags
The common appearance of vaginal skin tags is that
of small floppy growths, raised above the surrounding
skin in the vaginal area. In many cases, they look like
a stock or peduncle of excess skin that are either exactly
the color of the surrounding skin or a little deeper/darker
in color than it. In a number of cases, skin tags in
the vaginal area may look like a pimple or a small bump.
It is advisable to visit a gynecologist in order to
confirm the skin growths in vaginal area as skin tags.
Who Gets Vaginal Skin Tags?
Females of any age group, including infants, may get
vaginal skin tags. However, they mostly appear in adult
age, particularly in pregnant women. During the menstrual
period, vaginal skin tags may swell up and increase
notably in size. But these growths return to their normal
size after the menstrual period is over. In some cases,
newborn infants, otherwise healthy and completely normal,
get skin tags in vaginal area. These growths usually
appear as tiny filaments of flesh and fall off without
treatment by the age of two months.
Causes and Symptoms
Like other skin tags, the causes
of skin tags in the vaginal area are not known in
exact details. The general idea that skin tags appear
in places where skin rubs against skin or clothing seems
to apply to vaginal skin tags as well. The rubbing of
folds in the labia may be responsible for developing
skin tags. In any case, vaginal skin tags remain benign
and do not cause any annoying symptoms. They may cause
some pain or irritation when subject to friction or
irritation from clothing items, especially from napkins
or underwear etc. Congenital skin tags in vaginal area
may become irritated at times when they are rubbed manually
or against clothing items.
Removing Vaginal Skin Tags
Since vaginal skin tags are completely benign and do
not cause any disturbing symptoms, the gynecologist
may not advise for skin
tag removal. However, in case of any annoying symptoms,
or for cosmetic reasons, vaginal skin tags may easily
be removed in the doctor’s clinic, after giving
the patient local anesthesia. Some doctors prefer to
remove the vaginal skin tags by freezing (Cryotherapy).
Following are some of the cases in which the removal
of skin tags in vaginal area may be required and the
gynecologist needs to be consulted:
• A vaginal skin tag grows rapidly to a large
size and appears excessively swollen.
• A vaginal skin tag grows significantly darker
in color than the surrounding skin, appearing like a
blood clot.
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