Skin tags, also referred to as fibroma pendulum, fibroepithelial polyp, or acrochordon, are best described as fleshy skin growths made from darkly pigmented skin tissue that may appear as bruises. These range from the size of a pinhead to as large as grapes. Another way to describe skin tags on babies is that they are soft to the touch, unlike warts that tend to have a rough texture and are irregular in shape [1]. Most parents feel that skin tags on babies are the beginnings of skin cancer, hence they want them removed.
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Skin Tags On Babies
Causes Of Skin Tags On Babies
Skin Tags – Common Birth Defects
Where Do Skin Tags on Babies Appear
Skin Tag Removal
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Causes Of Skin Tags On Babies
What causes skin tags on babies? There are several causes for skin tags on babies to appear. Here are a few of which you should be aware.
- Viruses – The HPV virus can trigger skin tags and genital warts as can the molloscum contagiosum virus. The latter is spread through skin-to-skin contact. The virus easily transfers from one person to the next through bodies and clothing. The Centers for Disease Control said that this virus is rampant in children under the age of 10, but it can affect adults as well.
- In-utero development – What causes skin tags on babies? It is possible that skin bumps appear on the preauricular skin or near the ear. Preauricular skin tags appear on the front of a baby’s ear or ears since they have not yet thickened to form the normal shape of the ear.
- Chafing – Another possible cause for skin tags is chafing. This may be more common in babies who are overweight since their skin folds chafe against one another. Most of the time, these small white bumps appear around the neck and under the arms. Children who rub their eyes may have skin tags on their lashes [2].
- Goldenhar syndrome – What causes skin tags on babies? Goldenhar syndrome is a type of congenital disease linked with abnormalities on the head and the bones of the spinal column or spinal dysraphism. This congenital malformation may appear on the ears, bones on the face, eyes and mouth varying based on the severity [3].
- Hemifacial microsomia – Hemifacial microsomia affects 1 in every 4,000 births. This condition affects one side of the face due to nerve damage or underdevelopment. Hemifacial microsomia tends to occur during the first trimester when there is a problem with blood flow to the face. Hence, the face suffers from underdevelopment. This means that the condition will not worsen when you give birth. Normally, your doctor will wait until your baby is six years old before any surgery is conducted on preauricular tags [4].
Skin Tags On Babies
Causes Of Skin Tags On Babies
Skin Tags – Common Birth Defects
Where Do Skin Tags on Babies Appear
Skin Tag Removal
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Skin Tags – Common Birth Defects
Growths on the front part of the external ear are referred to as ear pits or skin tags. These conditions tend to happen during pregnancy when the ears are formed.
Ear pits, preauricular pits, preauricular sinus or preauricular fistula are small holes that are found in front of the ear. This preauricular point can appear on one side or on both and can be connected to a tract under your baby’s skin. This condition only becomes a problem when the pit becomes infected.
When this happens, problems on the preauricular sinuses can be triggered. A preauricular sinus infection can be treated using antibiotics. However, the pit and the sinus tract need to be removed if the antibiotics are unsuccessful. It is also possible that an ear pit develops into a preauricular cyst which is a lump that grows on the front of the ear [5].
Skin Tags On Babies
Causes Of Skin Tags On Babies
Skin Tags – Common Birth Defects
Where Do Skin Tags on Babies Appear
Skin Tag Removal
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Where Do Skin Tags On Babies Appear?
Skin tags can appear on any part of a baby’s body, but they typically appear on areas of the skin that rub together. The possible areas where skin tags appear include the upper chest, groin, armpits, eyelids and neck. Those prone to perianal skin tags, vaginal skin tags, anal skin tags and ear tags are often babies that have diabetes, HPV or genetic abnormalities.
Skin Tags On Babies
Causes Of Skin Tags On Babies
Skin Tags – Common Birth Defects
Where Do Skin Tags on Babies Appear
Skin Tag Removal
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Skin Tag Removal
Parents of infants may look for a suitable treatment to remove milia or white bumps that form under the skin. Although milia are normal in newborns, some parents want them removed as soon as possible. However, milia removal is not necessary since they disappear over time.
There are certain treatments for skin tags. Here are possible home remedies that you can use on infants with skin tags.
- Salicylic acid – For plantar warts or tags that appear on the soles of your baby’s feet, your doctor will recommend an over-the-counter medication. Common warts can be removed with this treatment as well [7].
- Banana peel – Another remedy for skin tags is a banana peel. Placing the insides of the banana on your baby’s skin tags can help dry them until they fall off. There are enzymes in the banana peel that help skin cells repair themselves. Whether the skin tag is on the upper lip or any part of a baby’s body, this is a good treatment to try.
- Vitamin E – Another possible remedy to remove skin tags is to apply vitamin E on the affected areas. The antioxidants help strengthen your baby’s skin and remove the tags on your baby’s lips or any part of their body after a few days of use [6].
- Apple cider vinegar – Apple cider vinegar may remove the skin tags or seed warts on your baby’s skin. Simply dip some cotton swab in apple cider vinegar, then wrap the skin tag in a bandage. Leave it on for 15 to 30 minutes before washing the skin. Do this every day until the tags fall off or shrink.
- Aloe vera – The gel polish inside the aloe vera plant can be applied to skin tags on your little one without the risk of potential side effects. Apply a small amount on the affected areas, and leave it until it has dried before washing.
Skin Tags On Babies
Causes Of Skin Tags On Babies
Skin Tags – Common Birth Defects
Where Do Skin Tags on Babies Appear
Skin Tag Removal
Skin Tags On Babies Resources;
[1] Kids Health from Nemours; Looking at Your Newborn: What’s Normal, Steven Dowshen, MD.
[2] Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; Ear Tags.
[3] ScienceDirect; Goldenhar syndrome with skin tags on the chest wall, Rabah M. Shawkya, Sally S. Zahrab, Volume 12, Issue 2, November 2011.
[4] Medline Plus; Ear tag.
[5] American Family Physician; Evaluation of Newborns with Preauricular Skin Lesions, Rex Dancel, MD, MPH, David Price, MD, Leonora Kaufmann, May 15, 2012.
[6] Health Line; How to Get Rid of Skin Tags, Catherine Hannan, MD.
[7] Mayo Clinic; Common warts.
