Skin tags, medically known as acrochordons, are small, benign growths that commonly appear on the skin. They are incredibly common, and while completely harmless, many people seek to have them removed for cosmetic reasons or if they become irritated. You might find them in various locations, such as the neck, eyelids, underarms, and groin. They can vary in color, sometimes matching your skin tone, being darker, or even appearing pink or red if irritated. Some skin tags dangle from a stalk, while others are more firmly attached to the skin’s surface.
Despite their varied appearance, the primary concern for most people with skin tags is understanding what causes them and what can be done about them. While skin tags are not a sign of any serious medical condition, understanding their development and risk factors can be helpful.
If a skin tag becomes bothersome – whether due to irritation, discomfort, or affecting your vision – consulting a board-certified dermatologist is the best course of action. Dermatologists are experts in skin health and can provide safe and effective removal options.
This article delves into the common causes of skin tags, explores the reasons why they develop, discusses when removal might be considered, and outlines the methods dermatologists use to safely remove them.
Unpacking the Causes: Why Do Skin Tags Develop?
Skin tags primarily arise due to friction. They frequently appear in areas where skin rubs against skin, or where clothing or jewelry constantly irritates the skin. This explains why they are most often found in skin folds and creases. Common locations where friction is a frequent factor include:
- Neck creases: Where the skin folds and rubs, or where necklaces and shirt collars may cause friction.
- Underarms (armpits): Another area of skin folds and frequent rubbing, especially during movement.
- Groin: Where the thighs meet the torso, creating skin-on-skin contact.
- Eyelids: Although less about skin-on-skin friction, rubbing from eye movements or even makeup application can be a factor.
- Beneath the breasts: Another area prone to skin folds and friction, particularly for those with larger breasts.
- Abdomen and back: While less directly related to skin rubbing against skin, these areas can be affected by clothing friction, especially waistbands.
Essentially, any area of the body experiencing repeated friction is susceptible to skin tag development. This mechanical irritation is believed to stimulate the growth of extra skin cells in the superficial layers of the skin, leading to the formation of these tags.
Risk Factors That Increase Skin Tag Development
While friction is the primary trigger, certain factors can increase your likelihood of developing skin tags. These risk factors often relate to conditions that promote skin rubbing or other biological mechanisms:
- Being Overweight or Obese: Individuals with a higher body mass index (BMI) often have more skin folds, increasing areas where skin can rub together. This heightened friction significantly elevates the risk of skin tag formation.
- Pregnancy: Hormonal changes during pregnancy, combined with weight gain and increased skin folds, make pregnant women more prone to developing skin tags. These often resolve after pregnancy but can sometimes persist.
- Age: Skin tags become more common with age. They are less frequent in children and teenagers, with prevalence increasing as people reach middle age and beyond. This could be due to cumulative skin damage and reduced skin elasticity over time.
- Genetics: There is a genetic predisposition to skin tags. If you have family members who develop skin tags, you are more likely to develop them yourself. This suggests a hereditary component influencing skin growth tendencies.
- Diabetes and Insulin Resistance: People with diabetes and insulin resistance have a higher incidence of skin tags. The exact link is not fully understood, but insulin resistance may play a role in stimulating skin cell proliferation.
- Metabolic Syndrome: This cluster of conditions, including high blood pressure, unhealthy blood sugar levels, excess abdominal fat, and abnormal cholesterol levels, is associated with an increased risk of skin tags. Metabolic syndrome often overlaps with obesity and insulin resistance, further contributing to the risk.
- Hormonal Imbalances: Conditions causing hormonal fluctuations or imbalances might contribute to skin tag development, though this is less definitively established than other risk factors.
- Steroid Use: Anabolic steroid use has been linked to skin tag development in some cases, possibly due to the effects of steroids on skin cell growth.
It is important to remember that while these risk factors increase susceptibility, anyone can develop skin tags, even without any identifiable risk factors. Their presence is generally not indicative of a serious underlying health issue.
Are Skin Tags Harmful? Understanding When Removal is Recommended
The most crucial point to understand about skin tags is that they are completely benign and pose no health risk. They are not cancerous or pre-cancerous and will not turn into skin cancer. For most people, skin tags are purely a cosmetic concern.
Generally, removal is only considered if a skin tag becomes problematic. Reasons for removal are typically related to discomfort or interference with daily life:
- Irritation and Bleeding: Skin tags can become irritated and bleed if they are frequently rubbed by clothing, jewelry, or seatbelts. Shaving can also irritate or nick them.
- Discomfort and Pain: While usually painless, skin tags can occasionally become painful, especially if they get twisted or inflamed. Sudden pain should be evaluated by a dermatologist.
- Eyelid Skin Tags Affecting Vision: Skin tags on the eyelids can sometimes grow large enough to obstruct vision, necessitating removal for functional reasons.
- Cosmetic Concerns: Many people choose to have skin tags removed simply because they dislike their appearance or find them bothersome from a cosmetic standpoint. While this is a valid reason for removal, it is often considered a cosmetic procedure and may not be covered by insurance.
- Sudden Development of Numerous Skin Tags: While rare, a sudden and rapid appearance of many skin tags could, in some cases, be associated with underlying internal changes. If you experience a sudden outbreak of numerous skin tags, consulting a dermatologist is advisable to rule out any underlying medical conditions and ensure they are indeed skin tags.
Dermatological Removal Methods: Safe and Effective Options
If you decide to remove a skin tag, it is strongly recommended to have it done by a board-certified dermatologist. Dermatologists are trained to remove skin tags safely and effectively in a sterile environment, minimizing the risk of complications like infection and scarring. They can also accurately diagnose the growth to ensure it is indeed a skin tag and not another skin condition requiring different treatment.
Dermatologists employ several quick and effective methods for skin tag removal, usually performed during a routine office visit:
- Cryosurgery (Freezing): This method involves applying an extremely cold substance, typically liquid nitrogen, to the skin tag. The freezing temperature destroys the skin tag tissue. Cryosurgery may cause a blister or scab to form, which will eventually fall off, taking the skin tag with it. Sometimes, the dermatologist may freeze the base of the skin tag and then snip it off after freezing.
- Electrodesiccation (Burning): In this procedure, a tiny needle-like electrode is used to deliver an electric current to the skin tag. This current cauterizes and destroys the skin tag tissue. Electrodesiccation typically results in a scab that heals within one to three weeks.
- Snip Excision (Surgical Removal): For this method, the dermatologist numbs the area around the skin tag with a local anesthetic. Using sterile surgical scissors or a scalpel, the skin tag is then carefully cut off. Pressure or a cauterizing solution is applied to stop any bleeding. Snip excision is a quick and effective method, especially for larger skin tags.
After any of these removal procedures, your dermatologist will provide aftercare instructions. This may include keeping the area clean and dry, applying a bandage, and using a topical antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. Following these instructions carefully promotes proper healing and minimizes complications.
Why Home Remedies and Wart Removers Are Not Recommended
It is crucial to avoid using over-the-counter products marketed for skin tag removal or attempting home remedies. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any at-home skin tag removal products and warns against their use due to potential harm.
Wart removers, in particular, should never be used on skin tags. Warts are different from skin tags; they are viral infections with a hard, rough texture. Wart removers contain strong medications designed to destroy wart tissue. Applying these harsh chemicals to soft skin tags can cause:
- Skin Damage and Irritation: The strong chemicals can damage the surrounding healthy skin, leading to significant irritation, redness, and pain.
- Scarring: Improper removal attempts, especially with harsh chemicals, can result in permanent scarring.
- Infection: Home removal methods, often performed in non-sterile environments, increase the risk of infection.
- Ineffectiveness: Home remedies are often ineffective at completely removing skin tags, and they may regrow.
Seeking professional removal from a dermatologist ensures safe, effective treatment and minimizes the risks associated with unproven and potentially harmful home methods.
Differentiating Skin Tags: When to Seek Professional Diagnosis
While skin tags are typically easily recognizable, it is always best to have any new skin growth evaluated by a dermatologist. This is because skin tags can sometimes be mistaken for other skin conditions, including:
- Warts: Warts, caused by viral infections, can sometimes resemble skin tags, especially certain types of warts. However, warts are typically firmer and have a rougher surface.
- Moles: Moles are pigmented skin growths that can sometimes be raised and resemble skin tags. However, moles have different characteristics and require monitoring for changes.
- Skin Cancer: In rare cases, certain types of skin cancer can mimic the appearance of benign skin growths. A dermatologist can differentiate between harmless skin tags and potentially cancerous lesions.
A dermatologist’s expertise ensures accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Seeing a dermatologist for any new or changing skin growth provides peace of mind and ensures proper skin health management.
Conclusion: Understanding Skin Tags and Seeking Expert Advice
Skin tags are common, harmless skin growths primarily caused by friction. While they pose no health risk, they can be bothersome for cosmetic reasons or if they become irritated. Understanding the causes and risk factors can provide context for their development.
If you are concerned about skin tags, whether for removal or diagnosis, consulting a board-certified dermatologist is the best course of action. Dermatologists offer safe and effective removal methods and can ensure accurate diagnosis, giving you confidence and peace of mind regarding your skin health.
