What’s The Deal With Skin Tags—Seriously?

Move over pimples, moles and warts, there’s a new skin nuisance in town—and it affects nearly 30% of Americans. That’s right, we’re talking about skin tags. The surprisingly annoying skin growths that seem to always be in the wrong place (like under your bra strap) at the wrong time (during swimsuit season).

Despite the fact that they’re super common, most of us don’t know a whole lot about these mysterious little buggers—besides the fact that they’re irritating. For instance, are they contagious? Can they ever be cancerous? Is it safe to remove them at home? The answers to all of these questions—and more—can be found below.

What are they?

Skin tags, also known as acrochordons or fibroepithelial polyps, are nothing more than small, fleshy growths that have the appearance of hanging skin (i.e. they’re longer than they are wide).

They're typically flesh colored, but they can look brownish or pinkish as well. Once they're fully formed—usually only millimeters wide and up to a half-inch in length—they won’t continue growing.

What causes them?

For the most part, skin tags form as a result of friction on the skin. That’s why the most likely places see them—the neck, the groin, the armpits, the breasts and the eyelids—all have folds, which cause skin-on-skin friction.

In some cases, being overweight, having diabetes, a family history of skin tags, being pregnant, having a thyroid condition or wearing tight clothing, can all make them more likely.

Do they spread?

One skin tag has nothing to do with another—whether it’s on you or someone else. Skin tags are not contagious and cannot be spread to other places on your body. If you have multiple skin tags that develop, choosing to remove one will not directly cause another one to form.

Are they painful?

There’s a chance you have a skin tag growing right now and you don’t even know it. That’s because they don’t usually have any sensation and don’t cause noticeable discomfort, unless they're in a high-friction area. For instance, if it is under a bra strap, or under a necklace, this could cause some irritation, pain or in some cases, bleeding.

Can you remove them?

While there’s no shortage of at-home skin tag removal options, like using dental floss (ouch!), it’s not recommended to do this on your own. Because skin tags are attached to stalks beneath the surface of your skin, it may be fairly painful or cause bleeding when they're removed.

So don’t bother with that mess. Instead, just work with a healthcare expert to easily remove them with cryosurgery, electrosurgery or snip excision—all of which are common, minor procedures. And the even better news, there should be no scar after the skin tag is gone (yippee!).

How do you know if it’s actually a skin tag?

As you probably know, skin conditions come in all shapes and sizes. Some may be easier to identify than others. So while you may think that new growth of yours is most definitely a skin tag, there’s a chance it could be something else. Things like moles, seborrheic keratosis and common warts can all look surprisingly similar.

That’s why Gwinnett Medical Group Primary Care is prepared to help. With knowledgeable experts, an extensive range of servicesand resources, and convenient locations, you can receive customized care for all of your skin health needs and more.

3 Surprising Illnesses You Can Get From Swimming (And How To Avoid Them)

Whether you’re hanging out by the pool, traveling to a nearby lake or going on a beach vacation (lucky you), spending time by some body of water—no matter how big or small—makes the summer heat bearable (and way more fun).

Once you’ve picked your favorite swim spot, it’s time to pack the essentials. Make sure you don’t forget to bring something to read (whether its gossip magazines or that book you’ve been meaning to start), stylish sunnies, a comfy cover-up, SPF and water (lots of water)—all those items that are sure to keep you happy and healthy all day long. 

Unfortunately, though, one thing you can’t exactly pack for—all the germs you may encounter in the water (yuck!).

But let’s not dwell on this major summer bummer! While germs may be an inevitable part of swimming, Hira Kohli, MD, a primary care provider at the GMC PrimaryCare & Specialty Center-Suwanee, shares what you need to know about the most common illnesses, symptoms to spot and tips to keep germs at bay.

Potty Problems. Nothing stops a pool party faster than a case of diarrhea. Oddly enough, that’s one of the most common illnesses you can pick up from swimming in lakes, pools and the ocean (yikes!). The germs that cause this dreaded symptom are a mouthful—crytosporidium, giardia, shigella…etc., you get the point.

Symptoms to watch for: While your tummy troubles may be the result of too much ice cream, if you have persistent diarrhea (5+ days), chills, fever, dry mouth, flushed skin or headache, it’s time to see a medical expert.

How to avoid it: Unfortunately, many of the common culprits that cause diarrhea can survive for days in bodies of water. The best way to prevent getting sick is to be sure that you don’t swallow any water—not even a tiny amount. And if you’re at the beach, minimize digging in the sand as some germs are buried underneath the surface.

Skin Struggles. As if you didn’t have enough to worry about with bug bites, poison ivy and sunburns, now there are rashes that you can get from swimming in lakes, pools and the ocean. Everything from the infamous hot-tub rash (pools and fresh water) and swimmer’s itch (fresh water) to staph infections (ocean) and more, are surprisingly common.

Symptoms to watch for: While most of these rashes appear as itchy, red bumps (like bug bites) within the first 48 hours, if they escalate to large blisters or abscesses, and/or last for more than 5 days, make sure to see your health care provider.

How to avoid it: For starters, one of the best things you can do is steer clear of the hot tub. There are two reasons for this: bacteria and germs thrive in warm water, and chlorine and other protective chemicals break down much faster in hot water. Also, make sure to rinse off after you’re done swimming, get all of those irritants off your skin ASAP.

Breathing Barriers. No one tries to breath in water, because when you do, it stings like crazy. However, getting a nose full of water isn't just annoying, it could also make you sick. In fact, breathing in just a little bit of water (steam or mist) can cause a lung infection, thanks to the bacteria, Legionella.

Symptoms to watch for: In some instances, symptoms are mild and resemble the flu—fever, headaches and all-over aches—that go away within 2 to 4 days. In more serious cases, you’ll experience pneumonia-like symptoms, including coughing, fever and lethargy. If your symptoms last longer than just a few days, it’s time for care from your medical expert.

How to avoid it: If you’re still on the fence about hot tubs, this may be enough to convince you—Legionella loves warm water. And if you can’t resist that steamy hot tub, make sure that it's routinely cleaned and disinfected.

Make a splash.

The sad truth is there are germs just about everywhere (like our cellphones), so why would we assume that swim spots are any different? But you shouldn’t let all those yucky germs keep you from enjoying ample splash time this summer.

To help you just keep swimming—and enjoying all the best parts of summer—the experts at the GMC Primary Care & Specialty Center-Suwanee offer latest treatment options, up-to-date technology and a spa-like environment all in a convenient location that’s close to home.

Ditch The Itch: 4 Plants You Should Definitely Avoid This Summer

We all know to steer clear of the three poison amigos—also known as poison ivy, oak and sumac. But have you ever really stopped to think about what these plants actually look like and how to avoid them? Chances are you aren’t the only one who may be drawing a blank here (did we miss the lesson on poison ivy 101?).

So in case you’re one of the many who doesn’t know the facts about poison ivy and oak by heart (does it always have 3 leaves or is it 5?), we thought it would be a good idea to provide a quick refresher on what these plants look like, where they grow and what other plants may cause some serious itching—besides these 3.

Here is your summer survival guide: plant edition

1.    What: Poison ivyis the notorious plant that inspired the old adage, “Leaves of three, let them be.” In addition to leaflets of 3 and its vine or shrub shape, you should watch for different colored leaves throughout the different seasons—reddish in the spring, green in the summer and yellow, orange or red in the fall.  

                                                 

Where:Thanks to the lovely climate of GA, and a variety of landscapes, you can find poison ivy just about anywhere—along the road, on a fence post, in a sunny setting or in the woods—you name it, it’s there.

Why: The dreaded rash that usually forms after touching poison ivy is due to oil in the plant sap—which is on its leaves and stems—called urushiol. The oil will typically cause a reaction (consisting of blistering, itchy rash) within 12-72 hours. And contrary to popular belief, this rash is not contagious, even if it seems to spread.

2.    What: Poison Oak, often mistaken for poison ivy, is a shrubby or viney plant that has three leaves with a classic oak leaf shape (but it’s unrelated to the oak tree). Poison oak usually has leaves that are a deep green (sometimes reddish), with a lighter underside. And if it has any berries, they will hang in clusters and be yellow-white.

Where: Poison oak isn’t nearly as common as poison ivy. So if you do spot some growing, it will likely be in a dry, sunny area.

Why: Just like its ivy counterpart, poison oak causes a reaction from urushioloil that can lead to a painful, itchy rash with blistering. Typically a rash will appear within 12 to 72 hours after contact and it will subside in just a few itchy weeks.

3.    What: Stinging Nettle, just like the poisonous trio, stinging nettle has a few relatives, like bull nettle, nettle tree and wood nettle, which can all cause painful, itchy reactions. With its bright green, jagged leaves, stinging nettle is sure to catch your attention. If its color doesn’t, you’ll likely notice its tall, single stem that grows upwards of 8 feet.

Where: While stinging nettle is common throughout GA, you’ll most likely notice it in dense, shady areas—in other words, the perfect place for a stream-side hike.

Why: This plant definitely got its name for a reason. With microscopic, stinging hairs that grow on the leaves, and sometimes on the stem, you’ll feel a painful, sting accompanied by burning/itching and sometimes blistering. These symptoms will appear as soon as you touch it, but they’ll likely go away within 24 hours—thankfully!

4.    What: Leadwort, while may sound like a made-up plant name, plumbagois actually more common than you might think. It’s often utilized in gardening because of its ability to provide ample ground cover, along with dusty blue flowers that grow all summer long—pretty right?

Where: Because plumbago is often purposefully planted, you are most likely to see it in gardens with part or full sun. While it’s most popular use is groundcover, you may notice it cascading down fences, along borders or in containers.

Why:Despite its frequent use in gardens for that pop of blue color, plumbago can be extremely irritating if you touch it. Often times, handling it will lead to redness, irritation and blistering on contact, so try to resist touching those eye-catching flowers.

I’ve touched one of these plants, now what?

In this instance, rubbing alcohol and water—seriously, a lot of water—are your best friends to help remove any oil or sap. If you can wash off the oil within 5 minutes, you may be able to avoid a rash—fingers crossed.

If the oil has been on the skin for more than 5 minutes, you should still wash your skin, just for good measure and to prevent the oil from spreading. And don’t forget to clean off any clothing, outdoor gear, furniture or flooring to prevent spreading the oil around.

And add oatmeal to your lukewarm (not hot) bath water and soak in it to help ease itching, especially with poison ivy. And while you’re at it, grab some calamine lotion, hydrocortisone cream, or an over-the-counter antihistamine to get some relief. And if resisting the itch is getting to be too much—because it’s darn hard not to give in and scratch it—or you notice other symptoms, like a fever, swelling or discomfort, get the care—and itch-relief—you need, exactly when you need it. 

Can Foods Really Help Heal Dry Skin?

For some, the freezing temps, whipping wind and lack of daylight are the best, most refreshing parts of winter (those people are few and far between, though). For the rest of us, winter weather has long lost its charm. Instead of leaving the comfort of the indoors to battle the frigid cold, many of us curl up on the couch and bask in the warmth. After all, it seems like a no-brainer—right?

And while all that glorious warm air, those snuggly (yet itchy) fabrics and extra-long, extra-hot showers may seem like the perfect way to spend a chilly day, it’s actually a recipe for chapped, dry skin—something that’s as annoying as it is painful.

So, when all the lotion and skin cream in the world don’t provide relief for dry skin, what should you do? As it turns out, the answer might be hiding in the foods you eat—or don’t eat. To help quench your thirsty, dry skin, try these nourishing foods:

Pomegranate seeds: If fruits and vegetables don’t top your grocery list during the winter months, you’re definitely not alone. Enter pomegranates. These delicious and nutritious powerhouses are packed with antioxidants, which help skin fight UV damage, inflammation, collagen breakdown, as well as boost blood flow.

Sweet potatoes: Whether you like them sweet or savory, there’s simply no denying that sweet potatoes are unmatched in their ability to help protect and support skin health. With ample amounts of both vitamin A and beta-carotene, this veggie helps to repair skin and its protective barrier.

Eggs: What’s not to love about a food that you can boil, scramble or fry? As if you weren’t already sold, eggs aren’t just versatile, they’re also loaded with a variety of different vitamins and nutrients, including: vitamins A, B5, D and E. These vitamins work to help fight inflammation, support collagen synthesis and overall skin function.

Citrus: If you’re feeling blah, chances are your skin is, too. Thankfully, citrus fruits of all shapes and sizes are the perfect solution. While vitamin C is often thought of as an immune-boosting nutrient, it can also help to support skin health by plumping-up collagen and softening complexion.

Nuts: Yet another example of how some of the best things come in small packages, walnuts and sunflower seeds boast a powerful array of skin-loving nutrients. With omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, antioxidants and selenium, your skin will be looking and feeling supple, hydrated and protected.

Salmon: It isn’t just the omega-3 fatty acids that make salmon a skin health all-star, although they do help to balance skin’s lipid membrane and retain moisture. This cold-water fish also offers a beneficial dose of vitamin D, which helps skin with acne, eczema and redness/irritation.

Healing from the inside out.

Skin is often a good indicator of overall health—after all it is your body’s largest organ. Everything from dehydration and allergies, to hypothyroidism and hormone imbalances can be visible on your skin. So, for many of us, dry skin is really just scratching the surface of overall skin health. To get a better understanding of what your skin may be trying to tell you, it’s important to see your primary care provider.

With a wide variety of services, up-to-date technology and the latest treatment options, Gwinnett Medical Group Primary Care is your partner in lasting health.