Warts, Skin Tags & Growths: Why Fall Is a Great Time for Removal

Summer has a way of making every little skin concern more noticeable. Between swimsuits, shorts, sleeveless clothing, and increased outdoor activity, you may have noticed a skin tag around your neck, a wart on your hand, or another growth you've been meaning to have checked.

Fall can be an ideal time to address these concerns. Cooler temperatures, less intense sun exposure, and a return to more covered clothing can make the treatment and healing process more convenient. More importantly, a dermatologist can determine exactly what a growth is before deciding whether removal is appropriate.

At MDCS Dermatology, dermatologists evaluate and treat warts, skin tags, and other common skin growths with treatment selected according to the growth's appearance, location, size, and your individual needs.

What Are Skin Tags?

Skin tags, medically known as acrochordons, are small, soft, benign growths that commonly develop in areas where skin rubs against skin, clothing, or jewelry.

They frequently appear on the:

• Neck

• Underarms

• Eyelids

• Groin

• Inner thighs

• Under the breasts

• Abdomen

• Areas affected by skin folds

Skin tags may be flesh-colored, pink, red, or darker than the surrounding skin. Some appear flat against the skin, while others hang from a small stalk.

Most skin tags are harmless. However, they can become irritated from shaving, clothing, jewelry, exercise, or repeated friction.

What Causes Skin Tags?

There isn't always a single cause.

Skin tags are more common in areas of repeated friction and may be associated with genetics, hormonal changes, pregnancy, weight fluctuations, or certain metabolic conditions.

Having a skin tag doesn't necessarily mean that something is wrong with your health. However, if you suddenly develop many new growths, it is worth discussing them with a dermatologist.

What Are Warts?

Warts are different from skin tags.

Warts are caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can be contagious. They may spread through direct contact or from one area of the body to another.

Warts can develop on many parts of the body, including the:

• Hands

• Fingers

• Feet

• Face

• Legs

• Around the nails

Plantar warts, which develop on the soles of the feet, can sometimes become uncomfortable when walking.

Unlike many skin tags, warts can persist and may spread if left untreated.

Not Every Skin Growth Is a Skin Tag or Wart

This is one of the most important reasons to have an unfamiliar growth evaluated before attempting removal.

A growth that looks like a skin tag to you could actually be:

• A mole

• A wart

• A seborrheic keratosis

• Another benign growth

• A precancerous lesion

• Skin cancer

Some skin cancers can resemble harmless growths.

A dermatologist can examine the lesion and determine whether it is appropriate for removal or requires additional evaluation. The American Academy of Dermatology specifically cautions against attempting to remove growths at home because doing so can cause infection, scarring, bleeding, or delay a skin cancer diagnosis.

Why Fall Can Be a Great Time for Removal

Although skin growths can be evaluated and treated throughout the year, fall offers several practical advantages.

1. Less Sun Exposure

After a procedure, the treated skin needs time to heal.

Reducing direct sun exposure can make aftercare easier and may help minimize the risk of unwanted pigmentation changes during healing.

Fall's shorter days and cooler weather can make it easier to keep treated areas protected.

2. Cooler Temperatures Can Mean Less Irritation

Summer heat, sweating, and friction can make freshly treated skin feel more irritated.

Fall temperatures are generally more comfortable for patients recovering from minor dermatologic procedures.

Less sweating can also be helpful when a treatment area is prone to friction.

3. More Coverage

During summer, you may be reluctant to treat a visible area if you have a vacation, beach day, or event coming up.

Fall clothing makes it easier to protect a treated area from environmental exposure while it heals.

4. Get Ahead of the Holiday Season

Fall is also a practical time to address bothersome growths before the holidays and end-of-year events.

If you've been putting off removal because of summer plans, scheduling an evaluation now gives you an opportunity to address the concern before your calendar becomes busier.

How Are Skin Tags Removed?

The appropriate removal method depends on the size, location, and characteristics of the skin tag.

At MDCS Dermatology, treatment options can include:

Snip Excision

A dermatologist can use sterile instruments to remove a skin tag quickly and precisely.

Depending on the size and location, local anesthesia may be used to keep the procedure comfortable.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy uses extremely cold temperatures, typically liquid nitrogen, to freeze the targeted growth.

The treated area may develop temporary redness, blistering, or a scab as it heals.

Electrocautery

Electrocautery uses controlled heat to destroy the targeted tissue.

A small scab may develop during healing.

The treatment selected depends on the individual growth and your dermatologist's assessment.

How Are Warts Treated?

Warts can sometimes be stubborn, which is why treatment may require patience.

Depending on the type and location of the wart, a dermatologist may consider treatments such as:

• Cryotherapy

• Electrosurgery

• Excision

• Other prescription or in-office therapies

The appropriate option depends on the wart's size, location, thickness, number of lesions, and whether previous treatments have been attempted.

Why Professional Treatment Is Better Than DIY Removal

It can be tempting to purchase an online "skin tag remover" or try to cut off a growth yourself.

However, this can create unnecessary risks.

Attempting removal at home can result in:

• Infection

• Bleeding

• Scarring

• Skin injury

• Incomplete removal

• Delayed diagnosis of skin cancer

The American Academy of Dermatology advises against using unapproved at-home products to remove moles, skin tags, or other growths.

The first step should always be determining what the growth actually is.

When Should You Have a Growth Checked?

Make an appointment with a dermatologist if a growth:

• Is new or changing

• Grows rapidly

• Bleeds

• Becomes painful

• Itches persistently

• Changes color

• Develops an irregular appearance

• Doesn't heal

• Repeatedly becomes irritated

• Doesn't look like your other skin growths

Even if you think it's "just a skin tag," having it examined can provide reassurance and ensure the appropriate treatment is chosen.

Meet Monica Schadlow, MD, FAAD

Monica Schadlow, MD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, where she has provided general and cosmetic dermatologic care to patients since 2001. She has extensive experience treating a wide range of dermatologic conditions and performing cosmetic and skin-enhancement procedures.

Dr. Schadlow is known for her gentle approach and personalized attention, helping patients feel comfortable while addressing their individual skin concerns.

For patients concerned about an unwanted wart, skin tag, or other growth, a dermatologic evaluation can help determine whether removal is appropriate and which treatment is best suited to the lesion.

Will Removal Leave a Scar?

Any procedure that removes tissue can carry some risk of a mark or scar.

The likelihood depends on factors such as:

• Size of the growth

• Location

• Removal technique

• Individual healing

• Skin type

• Aftercare

Your dermatologist can discuss potential outcomes and risks before treatment.

Following post-procedure instructions carefully is important for proper healing.

Does Skin Tag Removal Hurt?

Most minor skin tag removal procedures are well tolerated.

Depending on the size and location of the growth, your dermatologist may use a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort.

Afterward, you may experience mild tenderness, redness, or a small scab.

The exact recovery process varies based on the removal technique.

Can a Removed Skin Tag Come Back?

A skin tag that has been completely removed does not typically grow back in the exact same location.

However, new skin tags can develop elsewhere.

This is because removal eliminates the existing growth but does not necessarily eliminate the factors that make someone prone to developing skin tags.

What About Warts Coming Back?

Warts can be more complicated.

Because they are caused by HPV, the virus can remain in the skin even after a visible wart has been treated. As a result, recurrence can happen.

Some warts also require more than one treatment session.

Your dermatologist can recommend a treatment strategy based on how the wart responds.

Why Fall Is Also a Good Time for a Skin Check

If you're already scheduling an appointment to have an unwanted growth evaluated, fall can also be a convenient time for a broader skin examination.

Summer often means increased sun exposure, outdoor activities, and time spent in swimsuits or other clothing that exposes more skin.

A dermatology appointment can provide an opportunity to address both cosmetic concerns and overall skin health.

This is especially important if you've noticed a new or changing mole or other lesion.

Don't Ignore a Growth Just Because It Doesn't Hurt

Pain isn't a requirement for something to deserve evaluation.

Many benign growths don't hurt, and some potentially concerning lesions may also be painless.

Instead of trying to determine the diagnosis yourself, let a dermatologist evaluate it.

The goal isn't simply removal—it's making sure the growth is correctly identified first.

Fall Is the Time to Take Care of Those Lingering Skin Concerns

That small growth you've been noticing all summer doesn't necessarily need to stay there.

Whether you're dealing with a bothersome skin tag, a persistent wart, or another unwanted growth, fall can be a convenient time to have it evaluated and treated.

At MDCS Dermatology, Monica Schadlow, MD, FAAD can evaluate your skin concern and determine whether removal is appropriate and which treatment option best fits your needs.

If you're ready to address a wart, skin tag, or other growth, Book Online to schedule an appointment.