We asked you to share your health concerns, questions and thoughts with us in NBCNewYork.com’s new “Ask the Doctor” column. Now our friends at ColumbiaDoctors Eastside give you the answers. Get previous answers on a range of questions on stress and allergies, general aches and pains, skin care, exercise, blood pressure, ear, nose and throat problems and more.
Got a health question? Go to our “Ask the Doctor” page and ask whatever’s on your mind. We may not be able to get to every question, but we'll answer as many as we can. Check back in the coming weeks for responses. If you have a serious concern, however, you should contact your doctor or go to an emergency room immediately.
See also: Help! I Can't Control My Stress I What's the Best Way to Work Out? I My Head Hurts Constantly and I Don't Know Why I I'm 45 and I Still Get Acne, What Do I Do? (Note: All columns include questions that address a range of health issues.)
Here are some of our most recent Q&A’s:
Q: I have little "skin tags" around my neck and throat. What can be done about them that won't be too painful?
A: A: Skin tags are growths of extra skin which often appear around the neck and under the arms. Removal will require a trip to the dermatologist but pain should be minimal. These tags are removed after the skin is treated with an antiseptic. Very small tags require no anesthesia and are simply snipped off at the skin's surface. If the skin tags are larger, local anesthesia is injected prior to removal.
I would advise against trying to remove skin tags at home in order to minimize the risk of infection and bleeding. If pain is still a concern, you can ask that a topical lidocaine cream be placed for several minutes prior to any injection or removal.
--Dr. Robyn Gmyrek, division chief, cosmetic dermatology, ColumbiaDoctors Eastside
