Preauricular Skin Tag Removal

Important information about preauricular skin tags:

Some babies may be born with an extra tag of skin located in front of their ear. It is usually made up of skin as well as some cartilage. Because of this cartilage, the tag may grow and get larger. Therefore, it is ideal to remove the tag when the child is young.

Your child will be asleep under anesthesia during the procedure. The surgeon will make a small incision to remove the tag. The incision will be closed with stitches that do not need to be removed. Your child will wake up and recover in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). Most children go home the same day as their surgery.

Patient instructions after the procedure:

  • Your child may have pain or feel fussy after the surgery. Give acetaminophen (Tylenol®) every 4 hours as needed for pain. Follow the dosage instructions on the label.

  • The day after surgery, your child can shower, take a quick bath and get the area wet. It is normal to have some swelling around the site. This will go away and begin to look normal over the next few weeks.

  • Your child will be offered something to eat or drink in the recovery room (PACU) when they are ready. As they feel better later in the day, they can eat and drink normally.

  • Your child may return to school the day after the surgery. Avoid gym or sports until after the follow-up appointment or until your surgeon says it is OK.

Dressing and wound care

The incision will be covered with one of the following:

Dermabond™ (liquid glue that holds wound edges together)

  • Dermabond can usually stay in place for 5 or 10 days.

  • Dermabond does not need special care. Your child should not scratch, rub, or pick at the Dermabond. This may loosen it before the incision is healed.

  • Do not let the wound be in direct sunlight or under tanning lamps for long periods of time.

  • Avoid periods of heavy sweating until Dermabond falls off.

  • Do not apply ointments such as Vaseline, Desitin or other diaper creams to your child’s wound while the Dermabond is in place. It may loosen the Dermabond before the wound heals.

Steri-strips™ (paper tape reinforced with thread)

  • Steri-strips stay on for 7-10 days and then begin to loosen and fall off. Do not pull them off.

  • Do not apply any lotions or ointments to the wound while the Steri-strips are in place.

Steri-strips may get wet. Wash gently over them as directed (shower or a brief tub bath).

Follow-up appointment

  • Call the Plastic Surgery office as soon as possible to make a follow-up appointment 4 to 6 weeks after surgery (215 590-2208).

Contact your healthcare team with questions, concerns or if your child has:

  • Signs of infection, including redness along the incision, swelling, or yellow or green drainage from the incision.

  • A fever greater than 101.5°F (38.6°C).

  • Pain that is not controlled by pain medicine.

Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Oral Surgery

Monday through Friday, 8 AM -5 PM

215-590-2208

Evenings, weekends, and holiday, call 215-590-1000 and ask to speak with the plastic surgery resident or fellow on call

 

Reviewed March 2026 by Kelsey Reilly, CRNP, Nancy Folsom, RN