Discover the difference between three common skin blemishes.
Noticing a skin growth can be alarming. Is it a cyst? A boil? A skin tag? While most of the time these small, raised protrusions are nothing to fret over, some do warrant a visit to the doctor. Here’s what to look for and an overview of your treatment options.
IDing a Skin Tag
Cleveland Clinic describes a skin tag as “a cluster of skin tissue extending out from a tiny stem.” They’re typically flesh-colored and often appear in places that experience friction or rubbing. The benign growths can occur on anyone at any age. While they can be bothersome at times, skin tags only require medical attention if they’re twisted, irritating, or bleeding.
Skin Tag Removal Options
If your skin tag causes too much discomfort, a doctor’s visit is your best bet to find relief. Snipping and freezing are two common methods used to remove tags, while electrodesiccation is a third option that involves drying out the tissue with an electric current.
Quick Note:
The internet is packed with “at home” skin tag removal tutorials, but be wary of these quick and easy fixes. Until you’re diagnosed by a doctor, you could be mistaking something more serious (like skin cancer) for a simple skin tag.
IDing a Cyst
According to the Mayo Clinic, cysts are small, harmless bumps underneath the skin. Unlike skin tags, which only consist of skin, epidermoid cysts are filled with keratin. They too can develop anywhere on the body and are typically flesh-colored. How can you tell them apart from a skin tag? Cysts develop under the skin, while tags grow on the skin’s surface. See a doctor if a new growth suddenly appears under your skin. Chances are it’s a benign cyst, but there’s a possibility it could be a tumor.
Cyst Treatment Options
Since cysts are usually benign, no treatment is necessary in most cases. However, Cleveland Clinic experts say that you should always consult your healthcare provider when you find a new lump on your skin. But beware – cyst removal sometimes comes at the price of a scar. Some cysts can be opened and drained, while others can be excised. One option that doesn’t involve scarring is injecting the cyst with steroids, which decreases swelling and alleviates pain.
Quick Note:
There are several varieties of cysts, from ganglion to sebaceous. All are likely benign and occur in different areas of the body. Sebaceous cysts affect oil glands on the skin while ganglion cysts are often found on the tendons or joints of wrists and hands.
IDing a Boil
Unlike skin tags and cysts, boils are bumps that are painful, red, and swollen, according to the U.K.’s National Health Service. As time progresses, boils can increase in size as they fill with pus, and they will eventually develop a yellowish head that will rupture and drain. Most severe boils are caused by the bacterial infection Staphylococcus aureus.
Treatment Options
If your boil is small and you only have one, a visit to the doctor isn’t usually necessary. However, the Mayo Clinic suggests seeing a doctor is you have a boil that is:
- On your face or affecting your vision
- Extremely painful or worsening
- Causing a fever
- Recurring
- Not healed after two weeks
Consulting Your Doctor
Whether you suspect a skin tag, cyst, or boil, it’s best not to self-diagnose. While many of these skin growths are harmless, only a healthcare provider can confirm the cause and recommend safe skin tag removal, cyst treatment, or boil treatment options.
FAQs About Skin Tags, Cysts, and Boils
Q: Can I safely drain a boil at home?
A: You should never squeeze or attempt to drain a boil yourself, as this can spread bacteria and worsen infection. Warm compresses may help, but medical boil treatment is safest.
Q: Do sebaceous cysts go away on their own?
A: A sebaceous cyst may shrink or remain unchanged for years, but it rarely disappears on its own. If it becomes painful or infected, medical removal is recommended.
Q: What’s the safest method for skin tag removal?
A: The safest skin tag removal options are performed by a doctor—snipping, freezing, or electrodesiccation. Avoid at-home remedies, which may cause infection or scarring.
Q: How can I tell the difference between a cyst and a boil?
A: A cyst is usually firm, painless, and located under the skin, while a boil is painful, red, and filled with pus that may eventually drain.
Q: When should I see a doctor about a skin tag, cyst, or boil?
A: Seek medical advice if your skin tag bleeds, your cyst is painful or growing, or your boil is large, recurrent, or accompanied by a fever.
Final Thoughts
Discovering a new bump on your skin can be unsettling. Fortunately, most skin tags, cysts, and boils are benign and treatable. While at-home remedies may sound tempting, it’s always best to consult a healthcare professional for safe skin tag removal, cyst management, or boil treatment—especially if the growth changes in size, color, or causes pain.
