Skin Tags
Small, soft, harmless growths that hang from the skin
Quick Facts
- Type: Benign skin growth
- Common sites: Neck, armpits, eyelids, groin, under breasts
- Harmful?: No, they are not cancerous
- Treatment: Optional removal for comfort or appearance
Overview
Skin tags, known medically as acrochordons, are small, soft growths of skin that hang from the surface by a thin stalk. They are very common, especially in middle age and beyond, and tend to appear in areas where skin rubs against skin or clothing, such as the neck, armpits, eyelids, groin, and under the breasts.
Skin tags are benign, meaning they are not cancerous and do not turn into cancer. They are usually painless and harmless, and many people have them. Treatment is not medically necessary, but tags can be removed if they are irritated, snag on clothing or jewelry, or are bothersome for cosmetic reasons.
What They Look Like
Skin tags have a recognizable appearance:
- Small, soft, flesh-colored or slightly darker bumps
- Often attached to the skin by a narrow stalk, so they may dangle
- Usually a few millimeters in size, though some grow larger
- Smooth or slightly wrinkled in texture
- Painless, unless they become twisted, caught, or irritated
A tag that becomes red, painful, bleeds, changes color, or grows quickly should be checked by a doctor to be sure it is not another type of skin growth.
Causes
The exact reason skin tags form is not fully understood, but friction appears to play a major role:
- Skin rubbing: Repeated friction where skin folds or rubs against skin or clothing.
- Hormonal and metabolic factors: Skin tags are more common in people with overweight, insulin resistance, or diabetes, and they can appear during pregnancy.
- Genetics: A tendency to develop skin tags can run in families.
Skin tags are not contagious and cannot be spread to others.
Risk Factors
- Middle age and older
- Overweight or obesity
- Type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance
- Pregnancy and related hormonal changes
- A family history of skin tags
- Skin folds and areas of frequent friction
Diagnosis
Skin tags are usually easy to recognize:
- Visual exam: A doctor can typically diagnose a skin tag by its soft, stalked appearance.
- Biopsy (rarely): If a growth looks unusual or has changed, a small sample may be examined to rule out other conditions.
Treatment and Removal
Skin tags do not need to be removed unless they are bothersome. When removal is wanted, a doctor can take them off quickly using methods such as:
- Snipping: Cutting the tag off with sterile scissors or a scalpel.
- Freezing (cryotherapy): Using liquid nitrogen to destroy the tag.
- Burning (cauterization): Removing the tag with heat or an electric current.
It is best to have removal done by a healthcare professional. Trying to cut, tie off, or remove tags at home can cause bleeding, infection, or scarring, and may remove a growth that should have been examined.
Prevention
- Reduce skin friction with well-fitting clothing
- Keep skin folds clean and dry
- Maintain a weight that is healthy for you
- Manage blood sugar if you have diabetes or insulin resistance
These steps may lower the chance of new tags, though tags can still form despite good care.
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor if a skin growth bleeds, becomes painful, grows quickly, changes color, or has an irregular shape, since these features can occur with other skin conditions that need evaluation. Also see a doctor if you would like a bothersome tag removed safely, or if you suddenly develop many new tags, which can sometimes prompt a check of blood sugar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are skin tags dangerous or cancerous?
No. Skin tags are benign and do not turn into cancer. However, if a growth bleeds, changes color, grows quickly, or looks unusual, have it checked, because some skin cancers can be mistaken for harmless growths.
Can I remove a skin tag at home?
It is safer to have skin tags removed by a healthcare professional. Home removal can cause bleeding, infection, or scarring, and may remove a growth that should have been examined first.
Why am I getting skin tags?
Skin tags are linked to skin friction, aging, weight, pregnancy, and conditions such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. They also tend to run in families. They are very common and not contagious.
Will skin tags go away on their own?
Skin tags usually do not disappear on their own, though one may fall off if its blood supply is cut off by twisting. Most stay unless they are removed by a doctor.
Do skin tags grow back after removal?
A skin tag that is properly removed does not grow back in the same spot, but new tags can form in other areas, especially in people prone to them.
References
- American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Skin tags: Overview.
- Mayo Clinic. Skin tags.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Skin tags.
- DermNet. Skin tags (acrochordons).