Menu
eMediHealth Logo
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
eMediHealth Logo
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result

Home > Skin & Beauty > Skin Conditions > Skin Tags: Causes, Symptoms, and Medical Treatment

Skin Tags: Causes, Symptoms, and Medical Treatment

Updated on August 13, 2021
5 min read
By Akanksha Shah Sanghvi, MD, Clinical Dermatology

In this article:

  • How Common Are Skin Tags?
  • Causes of Skin Tags
  • Symptoms of Skin Tags
  • Treatment for Skin Tags
  • Diagnosing Skin Tags
  • Risk Factors
  • When to See a Doctor
  • Final Word

Skin tags, medically also known as acrochordons, refer to a loose accumulation of collagen fibers and blood vessels, surrounded by an epidermis, together forming a noncancerous skin growth that is attached to a fleshy stalk.

causes of skin tags

While skin tags do not possess any health risk or cause pain, they can often get caught in clothing or jewelry, causing discomfort.

How Common Are Skin Tags?

Around 50–60% of adults develop skin tags at least once in their lifetime. This is most common after the age of 40 years. Acrochordons are equally prevalent in both men and women. (1)

Causes of Skin Tags

causes of skin tags

Although the exact reason for the appearance of skin tags is unknown, they are thought to occur due to the following reasons:

Advertisements

1. Rubbing of skin surfaces

Sweating in the armpits, neck, and thighs can cause friction between skin surfaces, leading to the development of skin tags. (2)

2. Obesity

An increase in the levels of insulin, known as hyperinsulinemia, due to obesity can stimulate the production of growth factors that causes skin tag development. (3)(4)

3. Insulin resistance

Skin tags are often associated with insulin resistance diabetes, wherein the body fails to utilize the produced insulin. (5)

4. Hormonal changes

Skin tags are commonly seen in women with polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) and pregnant women as a result of hormonal changes (6)(7) that stimulate the growth of the epidermal skin layer.

Skin tags are more frequent in the third trimester due to an increase in the hormonal levels and friction of the stomach.

Symptoms of Skin Tags

Skin tags generally appear as skin-colored or brown moles and usually measure 1–5 mm in size. (8) They are mostly found in areas of skin folds, including the neck, eyelids, underarm, groin, inner thighs, and torso.

Advertisements

A skin tag may first appear as a soft bump on the skin, which gradually develops into a hanging skin piece attached to a stalk. This enables the skin tag to move slightly, which poses a risk of blood clots if the tag gets twisted. However, while they may cause discomfort or irritation, skin tags are generally painless.

Treatment for Skin Tags

treatment of skin tags

The treatment of skin tags involves their removal using either of the following procedures:

1. Cutting 

The doctor may snip off the skin tag using surgical scissors or a scalpel. Alternatively, the mole may be shaved off the skin. For a mole with cells below the epidermal layer, the doctor may make a deep cut to remove the mole, often requiring stitches.

2. Freezing

Liquid nitrogen is used on the skin tag, which may leave a small blister that will heal on its own.

3. Burning

The skin tag may be burned off using a hot electric wire without any scar development. Since this may cause pain, the doctor may first give you anesthesia. The heat involved in this procedure helps prevent or minimize the bleeding.

4. Electrosurgery (diathermy)

High-frequency waves and electric currents are used to cut the skin tag. (9) The radio waves enhance the heat produced by the electric current. This procedure again helps reduce blood loss.

Advertisements

5. Ligation

The doctor ties a suture around the stalk of the skin tag to cut off blood supply, eventually causing the skin tag to fall off without leaving any scar. Since this may cause pain, the doctor may use an anesthetic to numb the area first. A bandage may be applied to control bleeding.

Diagnosing Skin Tags

The typical appearance of skin tags, characterized by softness, mobility, color, and presence of stalk, is easily identified by doctors. However, if the skin growth is firm and darkly or multicolored, your doctor may examine it physically and even conduct a biopsy if required.

Risk Factors

The following factors can predispose you to the development of skin tags:

  • Human papillomavirus(HPV)
  • Skin irritation and friction
  • Family history of skin tags
  • Acromegaly
  • Type 2 diabetes

When to See a Doctor

when to see a doctor

While skin tags generally don’t require any medical attention, you may consult your doctor for their removal if you are bothered by their appearance, they cause irritation and discomfort, or they get caught in your clothes or jewelry.

Make sure to visit your dermatologist if you feel that the skin tag is hard to touch or bleeding. Consult an ophthalmologist if the skin tag is on or near your eyelid.

What you may ask your doctor
  • Can I cut off the skin tag at home?
  • Are my skin tags due to diabetes?
  • Can skin tags be hereditary?
  • Are skin tags more common in a particular race or ethnicity?
What your doctor may ask you
  • Are your skin tags painful?
  • Do your skin tags bleed?
  • Have you tried any remedies for the skin tags?
  • Are you facing any other skin problem?

Final Word

Skin tags refer to excessive, painless benign skin growths. They are generally associated with diabetes, skin friction, and hormonal changes.

Consult a dermatologist for the removal of skin tags if they are discomforting or bothersome. Avoid cutting off the skin tags at home as it can cause bleeding and infection.

Continue Reading Continue ReadingAt-Home Treatments for Skin Tags
References
  1. S; PAS. Skin Tags. National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31613504/.
  2. El Safoury OS, Fawzy MM, Hay RMA, Hassan AS, El Maadawi ZM, Rashed LA. The possible role of trauma in skin tags through the release of mast cell mediators. Indian journal of dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3276887/. Published November 2011.
  3. El Safoury OS, Ibrahim M. A clinical evaluation of skin tags in relation to obesity, type 2 diabetis mellitus, age, and sex. Indian journal of dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3179001/. Published July 2011.
  4. Jusuf NK, Putra IB, Kartayana J. The Correlation between Body Mass Index with the Occurrence of Skin Tag. Open access Macedonian journal of medical sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5503720/. Published May 8, 2017.
  5. Platsidaki E, Vasalou V, Gerodimou M, et al. The Association of Various Metabolic Parameters with Multiple Skin Tags. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6239160/. Published October 2018.
  6. Vora RV, Gupta R, Mehta MJ, Chaudhari AH, Pilani AP, Patel N. Pregnancy and skin. Journal of family medicine and primary care. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4311336/. Published 2014.
  7. Motosko CC, Bieber AK, Pomeranz MK, Stein JA, Martires KJ. Physiologic changes of pregnancy: A review of the literature. International journal of women’s dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5715231/. Published October 21, 2017.
  8. Gorai S, Saha A, Misra P, Nag S. Broad based giant fibroepithelial polyp over an unusual location: A report. Indian dermatology online journal. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5134181/. Published 2016.
  9. Aminimoghaddam S, Pahlevani R, Kazemi M. Electrosurgery and clinical applications of electrosurgical devices in gynecologic procedures. Medical journal of the Islamic Republic of Iran. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6377004/. Published September 22, 2018.
  • Was this article helpful?
  • YES, THANKS!NOT REALLY
Spread the Love❤️
Advertisements

You Might Also Like

Nutrition

Saltwater Vs Freshwater Fish: Nutrition Value and More

By Shiza Khan, M.Sc. – Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics

Read more

Newsletter

Get our BEST updates delivered to your inbox:



This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Categories

  • Nutrition
  • Wellness
  • Oral Care
  • Eye Care
  • Heart Health
  • Skin & Beauty
  • Women’s Health
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Respiratory Health
  • Web Stories

Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Cookie Policy
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
eMediHealth

This site provides content for informational purposes only. The information provided is not intended for use as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In case of a medical concern or emergency, please consult your healthcare provider.

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation.

Our Network: Little Extra

© 2019 eMediHealth. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Nutrition
  • Skin & Beauty
  • Wellness
  • Yoga & Meditation
  • Women’s Health
  • Heart Health
  • Allergy & Immunology
  • Bones & Joints
  • Child Health
  • Digestive
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Eye Care
  • Glands & Hormones
  • Health News
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Mental Health
  • Nervous System
  • Oral Care
  • Pain Management
  • Respiratory Health
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Urological Health
  • Web Stories

© 2019 eMediHealth. All rights reserved.