Skin Tags: Nuisance or Leptin Problem?

[BABY1]

TweetSkin tags are a nuisance skin growth. They are one of the most common skin conditions and are considered benign. Research has shown that they are often associated with obesity. Recently, a number of studies point out that skin tags may be an outward reflection of leptin resistance as leptin has been found to affect skin health.
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Skin tags are very common, small, bump-like skin growths that are medically considered harmless. They most often are found on the eye lids, neck, and arm pits. They can also occur under the breasts and in the folds of the groin. Skin tags may number at just one or two or there may actually be several hundreds of these bumpy growths on the body. The tags stick out of the skin and are often tiny, but they can be as long as a half an inch.
The common medical belief is that they occur because of the skin surface rubbing against itself or clothing rubbing against the skin. They often occur more in middle-age and older adults and those who are obese or have diabetes. I find it a rather unfulfilling explanation in that skin rubbing against skin or clothing will cause skin tags. If that was indeed the case, skin tags would happen ubiquitously between fingers, toes, buttocks, and a few other body parts on everyone.

Elevated Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Waist Circumference and Skin Tags

In trying to understand more about why skin tags occur, researchers have focused on several lab markers associated with metabolic syndrome. One study found that 53.9 percent of patients were overweight and 33.6 percent were classified as obese. High blood pressure, elevated cholesterol markers, and insulin resistance were commonly detected. Glucose, uric acid, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP, an inflammatory marker), and LDL cholesterol were higher in patients with skin tags than those who did not have skin tags. These lab findings and skin tags not only reflect the presence of metabolic syndrome but are also noted as markers of increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Type 1 and 2 diabetics may often present with changes in the skin including skin tags or other skin changes.
Skin Tags are Early Warning Signs

Research shows that imbalanced leptin in the body may be involved with the development of skin tags, but it is not how we have commonly thought of leptin. Leptin certainly plays the commanding role in insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes as a fat hormone, but it reaches farther than that as it affects the skin. In a recent study, scientists investigated leptin in its relationship with skin tags. Leptin levels were elevated in skin tags as were mast cells. Blood vessel dilation, inflammatory cells, and a haphazard arrangement of collagen tissue occurred in the presence of elevated leptin levels in the skin.
Recent research confirms that skin tags may play a role in early diagnosis of metabolic syndrome and is related to the presence of leptin in the skin. It is linked with cell differentiation, proliferation, migration, and survival. Science has concluded that leptin may play a role in skin tag development and growth because of its effect on skin cells, blood vessels, and connective tissue. Leptin is considered a major factor in skin health and the development of skin problems.
Researchers studied men 41-50 years of age with a minimum of three skin tags. Elevated leptin, insulin resistance, and cholesterol imbalances occurred with skin tags which led to an early diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. Elevated blood pressure was found to occur more often in patients who had skin tags than those who did not have skin tags. It was also found that individuals who had the highest number and extent of skin tags correlated with an increase in BMI or body mass index, increased waist circumference, and obesity when compared to those who did not have skin tags and had normal body weight. High levels of leptin correlated with the presence of skin tags and increased waist size.
The evidence speaks for itself. Skin tags are more than a nuisance skin problem caused by the skin rubbing against itself. It presence reflects early internal changes in response to imbalance of the powerful metabolic hormone as found within in the skin. This expands the picture of metabolic syndrome and leptin as found primarily in the fat tissue. These skin tags provide us some pretty solid clues that healthy metabolism has become distraught and is on its way down the path to obesity, metabolic syndrome, and heart disease. It is an early warning sign.
Freezing off or surgically removing the skin tags fails to look at the underlying troubled metabolism. Natural topical applications of oregano oil and tea tree oil and other home remedies may help in removing the skin tags from sight, but fail to delve into the underlying broken metabolism and elevated leptin. To break the cycle and to improve the health of this complex picture, it is essential to get leptin back in balance, i.e. to reduce the excess leptin and leptin resistance. The skin tags are a warning sign that something is going wrong with metabolism. If the brake warning lights up on the car dashboard, do you cover it up or remove the light and forget about the actual problem with the brakes?
Leptin Support

Leptin management is a multifaceted topic, but this hormone that is the master conductor of metabolism follows some basic principles. Here are some great resources to start learning about leptin and how to “master leptin”. Leptin is linked intimately with timing of meals and body rhythms and body clocks.

• What is Leptin?
• What is the Leptin Diet?
• The Leptin Diet Weight Loss Challenge #1 – Overview and Basic Needs

Several nutrients help leptin function in healthier ways and help support healthy insulin, blood sugar, and weight management. At the core of support are the omega oils DHA and EPA , tocotrienols, cinnamon, chromium, quercetin, green tea extract, and probiotics.
Mast Cell Support

One of the studies above noted that high levels of mast cells were present with elevated levels of leptin in the skin related to the formation of skin tags. Mast cells are a type of white blood cell that releases high levels of histamine and other inflammatory chemicals in the connective tissue in response to inflammation and allergic reactions. Vitamin E has been shown to stabilize mast cells. Quercetin also stabilizes mast cells. Research shows that it does a better job than the prescription drug cromolyn (NasalCrom, Crolom, etc). Additional mast cell stabilizers are curcumin, vitamin C, and B6. These compounds may be used with nutrients that support healthy leptin function.
Is your skin telling you something like the check battery light on your car? Don’t just remove the skin tags. Improve the underlying imbalance and your body’s metabolism and your skin will thank you!
Nutritional Options

DHA/EPA – The omega-3 fish oils DHA and EPA provide fundamental support to the body. They help support healthy wear and tear, keep cell membranes intact, and are essential to how hormones work in the body. If you don’t eat deep cold water fatty fish on a regular basis, it is essential to consume these healthy fats for blood sugar, leptin, cholesterol, and weight management.
Quercetin – This natural bioflavonoid is well known for its role in reducing allergic inflammation. It also helps to stabilize mast cells which may help irritated skin. This antioxidant supports healthy leptin function and helps manage immune wear and tear.
Cinnamon – This popular spice and standardized extract has an outstanding track record for helping to naturally support blood sugar, insulin, cholesterol, and inflammation.
Green Tea Extract – Green tea, used for over 5,000 years in Asia, has an impressive history and health benefits. Commonly used for weight loss, it also supports healthy blood sugar and leptin, and has stellar antioxidant benefits.
Chromium – Chromium is a trace mineral rapidly used up with carbohydrate intake and the Standard American Diet. It is often terribly lacking in soils and plant sources which leads to insufficient intake. This essential mineral is needed for blood sugar and leptin to function in order to burn food for fuel. It can help reduce sugar cravings.


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[Dzone]

TweetHmmm he says there no evidence to suggest that chaffing can cause skin tags.I think fingers , toes and butt cheeks rubbing together is totally different than crotch or under arm. dont get many, but always in crotch or underarm, never anywhere that doesnt get a lot of rubbing. I hate skin tags? How do you all get rid of them? Fingernail clippers work for me. lol

[ZOOT]

TweetJust started trying apple cider vinegar to remove one...fingernail clippers are next..lol

[ZOOT]

TweetWelp...decided to get a sterile razor and get rid of it..weird feelin

[Trixie]

TweetI get one in the same spot under my eye next to my nose. I pull it off with a tweezer as soon as it shows up. No scar or problem. Had the Doc remove it once but it still grew back. I pull everything off before it is noticeable to others. Vein? LOL

[Dzone]

TweetGet some liquid wart remover. Its acid and will burn it off. Paint it on with the little paint brush, Reapply a couple more times until the skintag is totally burned off