During pregnancy, pregnant women will have to undergo internal and external body changes. A skin tag on areola during pregnancy is one of them.
Why do skin tags appear on the areola of the mothers? Is it a type of breast cancer? How to deal with it? Let’s follow us to find the answer.
What Are Pregnancy Skin Tags?
A skin tag is harmless skin growths, formed within the skin folds and protrudes outward as small patches of skin.
These common anomalies are also known as ‘acrochordons’. Usually, their shape and size do not change over time. They usually appear in moist areas.
Basically, they’re fleshy, soft, sticky on the skin, and don’t infect other surrounding areas.
They are usually darker than your skin color because when the tissue of your skin gathers together, the melanin in the skin also gathers in one place.
During pregnancy, skin tags often appear on the areola of the mother but do not cause any discomfort or pain when there is no physical force applied to it.
After the delivery, the color of these skin tags may become darker.
What Are Causes Of Skin Tag On Areola During Pregnancy?
Hormonal imbalance, sex hormones effect, friction, and breastfeeding process are common causes of excessive pieces of skin.
In addition, genetics and insulin sensitivity can also be named as the culprits.
Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal imbalance is one of the leading reasons of the skin tag areola in pregnant women. Hormonal changes during gestation trigger the ectopic breast tissues to thrive.
One of the hormones that promote the growth of epithelial cells under the skin is Leptin. The fatty tissue of the expectant mom and the fetus both secrete Leptin.
The peripheral leptin concentrations even increase as the fetus develops and grows. It raises the accumulation of subcutaneous tissues, forming skin tags on the areola of the pregnant woman.
Sex Hormones Effect
In addition to the imbalance of the Leptin hormone, the sex hormones are also responsible for forming skin tags during pregnancy on areola.
A clinical implication of the link between high estrogen levels and skin tags was examined.
Usually, these skin tags appear during puberty due to the rapid changes in hormones inside the body.
It also explains the formation of tags on the skin during pregnancy due to high estrogen production in pregnant women.
Friction
Friction between the skin of the areola and the clothing is also a common root of the ‘acrochordons’. Sometimes, maternity clothes bring discomfort because the fabric is too stiff.
The friction often occurs, leading to scratches and marks, forming skin tags on the areola of the woman.
Bras are a prime example of causing areola irritation when multiple skin marks appear. After you find that you’re pregnant, you may realize that bras are somehow tight and uncomfortable.
Pregnant women sometimes use their hands to scratch, creating scratches on the areola and wrinkles after that.
Not only chafing against clothing, but nipples rubbing against the belly can also cause irritation. After a while, the fetus grows rapidly, making the pregnant belly bigger and bigger.
When the woman sits or bends over, her belly rubs against her breasts, gradually creating skin tags areola.
In addition, mothers’ weight gain during pregnancy also causes their skin to expand too quickly, and their breasts are no exception.
The following papillary and excess skin will be accumulated after this process, especially for ones getting treatment for Lipedema.
Breastfeeding Process
Breastfeeding can also cause ‘acrochordons’ on the areola of pregnant women nursing another baby.
Normally when breastfeeding, they will tend to grind their teeth, bite on the nipples, and hurt breast ducts.
Marks and skin tags also form over time due to this reason. It is why we often see mothers using accessory nipples during breastfeeding.
Other Reasons
Insulin sensitivity and congenital defects are other factors that can be named. These phenomena have nothing to do with pregnancy.
They just happen randomly at some point that coincides with the time of pregnancy.
What Are The Effective Treatments For Skin Tag On Areola?
Medical Remedies
To apply the below treatments, you need to go to the hospital or dermatology clinic to have the dermatologists remove them. You should not do it yourself at home because the results may not be as expected.
Surgical Excision
The doctor will cut these skin tags with a scalpel and other necessary items.
If the skin tags on areola are larger than normal, they may need to be stitched together. This surgical procedure is usually painless and does not require anesthesia.
However, it is important to follow the doctor’s advice to avoid infection at the sites where the skin tags have been removed.
Cauterization
Cauterization is a primary procedure that doctors use by burning it with high heat, electrical energy, or lasers.
With the right heat, they will be quickly eliminated from the areola of pregnant women.
Cryosurgery
The next method is using extreme cold to destroy these excessive glandular tissues. This method is called cryosurgery.
This aesthetic procedure uses liquid nitrogen or argon gas, and doctors can help the mother get rid of their skin growth.
Home Treatments
The below methods require the permission of a doctor or expert in the field. It would be best to be careful when using them to avoid unwanted results.
Apple Cider Vinegar
The first home treatment is using apple cider vinegar. Since it contains acids, it can quickly dry skin tags and make them fall off.
However, you should only use a small amount at a time to prevent burning due to the acidity of this vinegar. You can use a cotton swab to dip some of the solutions and then apply it to the skin growths.
Tea Tree Oil/Vitamin E Oil
It is a commonly used treatment for skin-related problems due to its natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties. In this case, it is only used after the skin growths have been removed.
Tea tree oil or vitamin E oil is safe for pregnant women because it rarely causes adverse effects.
Before applying this oil, wash and dry the area with the tags removed. Take a cotton swab, dip it in the oil solution, and place it on the skin for a few hours.
It will keep the area where the skin tags have been eraser from becoming infected.
Banana Peel
Banana peels have been shown to dry out skin tags and reduce inflammation. It can draw oil and other impurities out of the skin.
If you’re breastfeeding while your baby is grinding its teeth and biting its areola, the banana peel can help relieve inflamed bites.
You need to put the banana peel on the affected area and cover it with a plaster overnight. Repeat this process several times until the swelling or the skin tags disappear.
Garlic
Some people use garlic to cover skin tags and wrap it up daily. After a while, the skin growths will fall off.
Because the allicin in garlic easily makes the antibiotic in garlic work, making the affected area hot and dry, helping to eliminate the excessive skin on the areola.
How To Prevent Skin Tag On Areola During Pregnancy?
Basically, there is no way to completely prevent these skin growths from appearing. Most of the appearance of these tags is due to hormonal imbalance.
However, you can lose weight to avoid excess fat that leads to skin tightening.
You need to consult your skin specialist to have an effective diet and exercise. You can try the 21 day-fix pregnancy diet to lose weight.
It would be best to choose loose clothes to avoid the clothes rubbing against the areola, causing extra pieces of skin to appear.
In addition, you should also keep the skin areas dry, especially the areas with sweat glands. Also, as noted above, you’d better use accessory nipples.
It will help you avoid the lines created by your babies while nursing.
FAQs
What Are The Risks Of Skin Tags?
There aren’t any possible risks associated with these skin tags. Many people think it is a sign of breast cancer, but it is completely unfounded.
It is important not to try to remove them on your own at home, such as using nail clippers or scissors. You can ask a dermatologist to handle them.
Applying unknown drugs or unproven therapies can lead to infection in that and surrounding areas.
Also, if they don’t hurt and you don’t think it’s necessary to get rid of them, just let them stay there.
However, if you experience itching, pain, or burning in the skin tags, you should see a doctor immediately.
How Long Does It Take To Remove A Skin Tag?
Usually, these skin growths shrink and fall off on their own 3 months after giving birth. If you have used therapies to remove it, this process usually takes about 2 months.
Just follow your dermatologist’s instructions and do not twist, pull, or cut it yourself, as it will cause bleeding, wound infection, and scarring later.
What Are Other Locations Of Skin Tags During Pregnancy?
In addition to the areola, skin growths appear on the underarms, neck, waist, and skin areas under bras and underwear.
These locations often rub against clothing, causing the skin tag on areola pregnant women.
Conclusion
What are the causes and the solutions of the skin tag on areola during pregnancy? We believe that you’ve found the answer.
It is important to follow your doctor’s or skin specialist’s instructions to remove these skin growths safely.
Thank you for taking the time for us, and see you in the next posts!
