Mr. Onur Gilleard
Qualifications & Experience
Mr Onur Gilleard is a distinguished consultant plastic surgeon on the GMC specialist register. He previously held an NHS consultant post at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, specialising in skin cancer and microsurgical reconstruction. In 2021, Mr Gilleard transitioned from the NHS to dedicate himself fully to private practice, allowing him to focus exclusively on providing personalised, high-quality care to his patients. He is recognised as an expert in laser treatments, having conducted research and developed advanced treatment protocols using cutting-edge laser technology to optimise both clinical outcomes and cosmetic results.
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A healthy skin tag rarely becomes infected, but one that has been caught, twisted, or has lost its blood
supply can become red, painful, and infected. The signs to act on are spreading redness, warmth,
swelling, pus or discharge, increasing pain, a darkening (black) tag, or feeling unwell with a fever.
Mild local irritation can be cared for at home, but spreading infection or systemic symptoms need prompt medical
attention — and a tag that has turned black needs assessing. This guide explains the difference and what to do.
Signs of an Infected Skin Tag
Look for these features, which suggest infection rather than simple irritation:
- Spreading redness around the base, beyond the tag itself;
- Warmth and swelling of the surrounding skin;
- Pus or discharge, sometimes with a smell;
- Increasing pain or throbbing;
- Bleeding that doesn’t settle, often after the tag was caught.
Simple irritation — a tag that’s been rubbed and is a little sore or pink — usually settles on its own and is covered in inflamed skin tags.
A Skin Tag That’s Turned Black
A skin tag that turns dark or black has usually twisted on its stalk and lost its blood supply
(torsion); it will often dry up and drop off. This is common and not in itself dangerous. However, because a
darkening lesion can occasionally signal something else, a tag that turns black — especially if it’s painful,
bleeding or you’re unsure it’s a skin tag — should be examined to be certain.
When to Seek Urgent Help
Seek prompt medical care if you have:
- Redness spreading outward (a sign of cellulitis);
- Fever or feeling generally unwell;
- Significant pus or a rapidly worsening area;
- Heavy or persistent bleeding.
Spreading skin infection can need antibiotics and shouldn’t be left. People with diabetes should be especially cautious, as infections can progress faster — see skin tag care for diabetics.
What to Do
Keep the area clean and dry, avoid catching or picking at the tag, and don’t attempt to cut or tie it off — that’s
how many infections start (see removal gone wrong).
If it’s infected or you simply want it gone safely, a clinician can assess and remove it cleanly. London Skin Clinic
offers same-day skin tag assessment and removal. Book an assessment
or call 0203 916 6200.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can a skin tag get infected?
- Yes, though it’s uncommon. A skin tag that is repeatedly caught, twisted or scratched can become irritated and then infected, with redness, swelling, pus or pain. Spreading redness or fever needs prompt medical attention.
- Why has my skin tag turned black?
- Usually because it has twisted on its stalk and lost its blood supply, causing it to darken and eventually drop off. This is common and harmless, but a black, painful or bleeding lesion should be checked to confirm it is a skin tag.
- Is it safe to let an infected skin tag fall off on its own?
- A tag that has lost its blood supply may safely drop off, but an actively infected tag — with spreading redness, pus or pain — should be assessed rather than left, as the infection itself needs treating. Keep the area clean and seek advice if it worsens.
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