Both skin tags and moles are considered to be benign skin growths. While they are two very different things, for the most part, they are harmless. People tend to worry about moles more than skin tags, due to the risks that can sometimes come from them. But, what happens if you see a skin tag on top of a mole? Can a skin tag growing on a mole be safely treated?
Skin tags are usually safe. Unless you notice abnormalities, strange discoloration, etc., it’s unlikely to be a concern. That change will usually happen very suddenly, so it’s unlikely to be a sign of skin cancer if it’s been that way for years.
However, if a skin tag appears on top of a mole, it should usually be checked by a dermatologist. In fact, it could be another form of ‘elevation’ on the mole. In which case, a doctor’s diagnosis is essential. First, you should be able to identify one. Being aware of any changes to your body is key in getting a skin condition treated before it gets out of hand.
Can You Treat a Skin Tag Growing on a Mole?
The answer is yes, provided that it doesn’t affect the mole. Skin tags are nothing more than fleshy folds of skin. There are dozens of treatment options available for them, from medical choices to home remedies. But, a skin tag growing on top of a mole can be a different story, altogether.
Since skin tags typically grow in ‘creases’ of the body – armpits, the neck, etc. It’s a rarity for them to appear on a mole that is flat, but it can happen.
What to Look For and How to Identify a Skin Tag on a Mole
Skin tags will appear on the body as small flaps of skin. They’ll usually be the same color as the rest of your skin, or will be just slightly darker. If you notice a skin tag that has an extremely darkened color, it’s likely to be about to fall off. Just to be sure, get it checked by an expert.
A mole is nothing more than a group of pigmented cells just underneath the surface of the skin. They cluster together in one spot to form the mole(s) on your body. Again, these cells are typically harmless. So, when two benign skin growths come together, it shouldn’t mean much, right?
Well, that depends on what’s going on. Once you know what both growths are, and what they should look like, it becomes easier to identify a problem if one occurs. There are a couple of things to consider:
- First, the skin tag shouldn’t have the same characteristics of the mole. It shouldn’t be the same color, or same size and shape. If it is, it’s likely that you have an elevation to your mole itself, and that’s not considered to be a skin tag.
- Second, you should look at the mole. If the growth has made the size of the mole change, or the shape, it could be something much more severe than a skin tag. A raised mole is different than a mole with a skin tag on it and could have different consequences and treatment necessities. Knowing the difference between these two situations is the first key to a safe and effective treatment.
Can a Skin Tag Affect a Mole?
No, a typical skin tag should not affect the existing mole in any way. The mole also shouldn’t affect the skin tag. If it appears abnormal in any way, or there are any other ‘warning signs’ to the mole, it’s reasonably safe to say there is another condition. The mole itself could even be infected.
A mole going through some adverse change will likely have irregular borders, or a sudden area of growth, or even a change in position. Any mole that grows larger than 6 mm across is something that should be taken seriously, even if you think it may just be a skin tag attaching to it. You Need to be able to distinguish between a skin tag and melanoma.
What Are the Safest Methods of Treatment?
Again, the first thing you should do if you feel you have a skin tag on a mole, or another type of growth, see a doctor. Your general physician or dermatologist should be able to give you a clear-cut diagnosis!
If the growth on top of your mole turns out to be something else, further treatment steps will need to be taken between you and your doctor. They’ll likely want to remove the growth, or perhaps the entire mole. Once that procedure is finished, a biopsy can be performed to ensure the growth isn’t cancerous. If your doctor checks out the skin tag and mole and determines everything is safe, you can reconsider treatment options.
Still, it’s a good idea to ask your doctor what their recommendations for removing a skin tag might be. Some treatment options may interact with the underlying mole negatively and irritate.
Australian Tea Tree Oil
While most ‘home remedies’ should be fairly safe, make sure to use natural ingredients, if possible. For example, tea tree oil is one of the most popular natural remedies for skin tags. It’s antifungal, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties have many anecdotal success stories. Many people swear by tea tree oil when it comes to removing skin tags.
Pristine Wart & Mole Vanish
If your doctor does assure you that the condition is safe, you might want to look at over-the-counter skin tag removal products when it comes to removing it. Products like Pristine’s Wart & Mole Vanish are designed with both skin tags and moles.
First and foremost, the best thing about this product is that it’s all-natural. It’s a single-application product, which can bump up the convenience factor if you don’t want to deal with daily treatment creams, ointments, etc. You’ll get results in only 20 minutes.
What Not to Do When Removing Skin Tags
If you do have an actual skin tag growing from a mole, there are a few safety concerns to keep in mind. Again, this is after having talked with your doctor about the skin tag and mole themselves being harmless. Skin tags typically have to be ‘suffocated’ to be removed. It works by cutting off circulation and blood flow to the skin tag itself. Once that happens, it will shrivel up and fall off on its own.
But, if you have a skin tag on top of a mole, ‘pinching’ it or tying it off in any way could potentially be dangerous. Moles should not be picked at, or dug into, in any way. Your priority should always be safety.
Yes, a skin tag can grow on a mole can be safely treated. But, it’s important to follow all of the proper precautions in doing so. Only remove the skin tag after getting an ‘all clear’ from your doctor.