What You Need to Know About Skin Tags

If you've ever run your hand over your neck or chest and encountered a wobbly bit of skin, you've probably found a skin tag. Skin tags are benign (not harmful) outgrowths of the skin, blood vessels and sometimes fibrous tissue that can appear anywhere on the body. Though they usually start as tiny bumps, they eventually develop into a cluster of skin tissue extending out from a slim stem. They're most commonly found in areas where the skin rubs against itself or clothing, such as the neck, armpits, upper chest and groin. Also known as acrochordons, soft fibromas or fibroepithelial polyps, skin tags are quite common. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, they occur in about 50% of adults and appear in men and women equally — usually during middle age. Ranging in size from a few millimeters to a few centimeters, they are usually flesh-colored or slightly darker.

Talk to Your Doctor About Skin Tags

It's important to have any skin growth properly identified by a health care provider in order to get any necessary treatment. Consider showing any growths to your primary care provider, who can refer you to a dermatologist or consult a dermatologist directly. They can diagnose whether you have them or another condition that looks like a skin tag. Look-alikes include benign conditions, such as moles, warts, seborrheic keratoses and malignant skin cancers. In rare cases, multiple skin tags may indicate an underlying hormonal or endocrine condition like polycystic ovary syndrome.

Removing Skin Tags

You may choose to have skin tags removed if their appearance bothers you, they get caught on jewelry or clothing, or the skin becomes irritated or bleeds easily. There’s no medical reason to remove them. Therefore, you’ll likely incur an out-of-pocket cost to have the tags removed. If you decide a skin tag must go, consult a dermatologist or similarly trained skin specialist who can explain the surgical procedures commonly used to remove the growths.

• Cauterization is a process where the skin tag is burned off using electrolysis.
• Cryosurgery, or freezing the skin tag off, is done using a probe that contains liquid nitrogen.
• Ligation cuts off the blood supply to the tag, causing it to wither and fall off.
• Excision, whereby the tag is cut out with a scalpel or scissors.

There are also over-the-counter substances that you can use at home, but it's important to speak with a doctor before attempting to remove a skin tag on your own. Misuse of a remedy can cause pain, bleeding, infection, scarring and skin damage. Home treatment may also result in an incomplete tag removal, which means it's likely to come back.

Prevention and Risk Factors

Anyone can develop skin tags, but people with the following conditions are more likely to experience them:

• Obesity: Extra weight can cause the skin to rub against itself, which may lead to skin tags.
• Pregnancy: The added hormones and weight gain during pregnancy can sometimes cause skin tags.
• Diabetes: People with diabetes are more prone to skin tags, possibly because of poor circulation.
• Family history: If you have family members with skin tags, you may be more likely to get them yourself.

While there is no sure way to prevent skin tags from forming, you can lower your risk by:

• Keeping your skin clean and dry
• Wearing loose, comfortable clothing
• Avoiding friction on the skin

While skin tags are harmless, it's essential to keep an eye on them and see a doctor if they change in size, shape or color. If you have a skin tag, you can choose to do nothing, as they're not dangerous. However, if you're concerned about their appearance or want them removed for cosmetic reasons, you can speak with a doctor or dermatologist about your options. They can help you determine the best course of action based on your situation. With proper medical supervision, skin tags can usually be removed without significant complications. Related: How Diet Affects Your Skin Prejuvenation: Preventive Tactics to Stave Off Signs of Aging Skin