Skin tags

Growing0ldDisgracefully

Also interested in this as I have one in amongst my lower eye lash roots, and the dratted thing is getting bigger but occasionally bits of it come off. Was thinking of getting a GP appt (yes, I know, rarer than rocking horse poo) but sounds like GPs aren't likely to treat it so won't waste my time.

No, it's not a waste of your time. If you get a positive diabetes or cholesterol result, you can treat the underlying risk factors for skin tags, which can reduce on their own with treatment. Even if you end up paying for these ones to be removed, you run the risk of more developing if you have pre-diabetes or high cholesterol, so it's up to you to change your lifestyle and/or take medication, if you want to reduce the risk of a return.

You might need to wait a few weeks for a blood test, but that's not going to make much difference. If you have to do an econsult form to get an appointment, make sure that you include not only the skin tags but any other symptoms which could be the result of pre-diabetes or high cholesterol. The tests are fairly basic and cheap.

Ooops! I meant the last post as a reply to Grammaretto.

If you have been told by experts not to have it removed, listen to them.

oodles

I don't know if this might be helpful, but I had some skin tags, and was diagnosed with pre-diabetes, I hadn't known that skin tags are sometimes a symptom of that.
I worked hard on putting that into remission, and my skin tags (including an upper eyelid one) shrunk. I still have the odd one which I could probably do something with, but the eyelid one is almost I perceptible.
I do know someone who had a big one removed from a top eyelid, and it was done at the hospital, as it was affecting her sight.
Are there any nurse clinics near you, having one on the lower lid seems a bit less risky than on the upper lid

Interesting oodles as I’m pre diabetic too and have suddenly developed quite a few skin tags!

My NHS consultant wouldn’t remove my skin tag on my eyelid because it might scar. Then with some glee he informed me that it wouldn’t be worth it as I had another load coming 😱

I was told by a derma consultant that skin tags form when folds of skin rub together. I have plenty of both.

Unfortunately I must be referred by my doctor to the minor surgery unit 😞

My understanding is that most skin tags are considered cosmetic and the NHS is too stretched to do cosmetic surgery.

Don't get it done by a beautician!
I think the risk is that although isn't a big incision to remove a tag, if unluckily it bled a lot or got infected, it could cause minor scarring. Which wouldn't be a problem elsewhere, but near eyelid margin it can pull on your eyelid, distorting it & causing chronic problems with runny eyes / eyelashes rubbing etc etc.
If you want it done, get it done by a private plastic surgeon or ophthalmic surgeon.

I agree valdavi. I wouldn't do that but I may have to have it done privately. I shall first try to see my doctor and plead 🥺

Always worth a try! Let us know how you get on.

I have a doctor's appointment on Monday! Wish me luck.

Grammaretto

I have a doctor's appointment on Monday! Wish me luck.

Fingers crossed for you!

Don't forget to ask for a diabetes test (HbA1c). They're cheap and easy, so I doubt if it will be refused

I discovered that the skin tag is probably a wart! Either way they refuse to touch it and say there's bound to be scarring if any attempt to remove it, or worse, damaged eyesight.

I asked for a diabetes test and I have a blood test booked tomorrow.

Maybe if it's a wart it will regress & fall off with time. Hope the diabetes test is normal.

I had one on my eyelid. Every day I used finger and thumb nail to “ trap” it and squeezed for a few seconds, when I remembered. It soon went. I have also used Bio Oil on tags on my neck as they are not large enough for the cotton thread solution

I have now had a blood test and a recall for BP and chat to the GP next week. I believe it's for cholesterol levels rather than pre diabetes and they will want me to take statins, which I don't want.

Neither doctor nor nurse will touch the skin tag which I believe it is so I'll just have to live with it.
My good news is a date for my cataract operation in a couple of weeks.