DERMATOLOGY COMMUNITY
Skin Tags a Path for Infection (HIV)?

Skin Tags a Path for Infection (HIV)?

I feel stupid for asking this but I'm not really familiar with the science of skin tags and the healing process and thought that maybe someone on the dermatology forum could help me (it seems as though you receive a few inquiries regarding skin tags and such). Anyway,  I recently engaged in semi-sexual relations (kissing, body sucking) with someone with whose sexual status I am not privy. Bad mistake, I know. During kissing, the woman I was with began sucking and licking my nipples. However, earlier that day, I distinctly remembered scratching a small, dry skin tag (no bigger than a needle tip) off of my nipple. There was no blood when I scratched it off, so I assumed that it would be considered anything but an "open cut". However, I've always remembered my doctor saying that, when picked or irritated, skin tags are more easily susceptible to infection. Essentially, I've spoken with several HIV experts and they said it was NO RISK, as HIV cannot permeate intact or healing (which is almost instantaneous) skin but I don't know if skin tags are effected by the same healing process that the rest of the body is...

Any help? Thank you so much, in advance!  
Related Discussions
5 Comments Post a Comment
Blank
Avatar_m_tn
Infact skin tags are more keratinised than rest of skin and would offer more protection.
Blank
Avatar_dr_f_tn
Hello,

HIV can transmit through broken skin only if it comes in contact with blood of the infected individual.Transmission through skin tags is very rare and cannot occur.

I hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts.Kind regards.


Blank
Avatar_dr_f_tn
Hello,

HIV can transmit through broken skin only if it comes in contact with blood of the infected individual.Transmission through skin tags is very rare and cannot occur.

I hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts.Kind regards.


Blank
Avatar_n_tn
Will do! Kind thanks to both jagesh50 and kindd!
Blank
Avatar_n_tn
Sorry to bother you again but I just wanted to confirm that, even when scratched or irritated, skin tags will, in fact, begin healing (from the outside in) almost instantaneously, just like any other part of the skin. The licking was more than eight hours after I had rubbed the skin tag off (no blood or fluid leakage) and I was wondering if that was ample healing time to prevent infections.

It's just that I remember an old doctor of mine saying that, when picked or irritated, skin tags are more easily susceptible to infection.

Thank you again, so much.
Blank
Have a Dermatology question?
100,000+ doctor answers
Post a Comment
To
Comment
Post A Comment
Go
Blank
Food Diary Tracker
What are you eating?
Start Tracking Now
MedHelp Health Answers
Submit
Blank
My Diet Diary
The ideal weight loss app
Download Now
Top Dermatology Answerers
209987_tn?1334790318
Blank
tschock
AB
995833_tn?1336663431
Blank
maatson
Other
1939607_tn?1324292900
Blank
nefeli1986
Greece
757137_tn?1316284120
Blank
allmymarbles
NJ
363110_tn?1332738103
Blank
martikadragoon
Hemet, CA
168348_tn?1333651418
Blank
ChitChatNine
RSS Expert Activity
1741471_tn?1336957856
Blank
LIVE WEBINAR TOMORROW!-SUPER BODY, ... Blank
May 22 by Michael Gonzalez-WallaceBlank
2126606_tn?1335910182
Blank
Fibromyalgia Awareness
May 11 by Clare Waismann Kavin, RASBlank
2126606_tn?1335910182
Blank
Opioid-induced hyperalgesia reduces...
May 03 by Clare Waismann Kavin, RASBlank