Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAppearanceCausesDiagnosisRemovalPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Appearance
Causes
Diagnosis
Removal
Prevention
Skin tags are harmless,benignskin growths, also calledacrochordonsandfibroepithelial polyps. They are often found on the neck and armpits.While skin tags are not usually a medical concern, they can become irritated or twisted on their stalks, becoming painful. Some people choose to have them removed for this reason or for cosmetic reasons.This article will discussskin tagcauses, diagnosis, and removal. It will also cover skin tag prevention techniques.This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoSkin tags on armpit.DermNet / CC BY-NC-NDWhat Does a Skin Tag Look Like?Skin tagsare painless, small, soft pieces of skin that stick out from the body. They are either directly attached to the skin or are on a stalk and dangle off of the skin.Skin tags can be anywhere on the body but are typically located in areas of the body where friction occurs (rubbing skin against skin, clothing, or objects). Common spots for skin tags are:NeckUnderarmsUnder breastsInner thighEyelidsSkin tags can be the same color as the surrounding skin, be darker than the surrounding skin, or can be pink. They tend to be very small but can reach up to 1 centimeter (less than half an inch).What Causes a Skin Tag?The primarycause of skin tagsis friction against the skin. This can be from clothes, jewelry, or other areas of skin.For reasons that are not clear, rubbing against the skin encourages the formation of the skin tag.Risk Factors for Skin TagsSeveralrisk factorsfor developing skin tags include:Having obesityPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): This disorder causes hormonal imbalances and changes in metabolism.Type 2 diabetes: In this type of diabetes, the body does not use insulin correctly to regulate blood sugar levels.GeneticsMetabolic syndrome: This syndrome includeshigh blood pressure (hypertension), high blood sugar,dyslipidemia(high levels of cholesterol and fat in the blood), and excess abdominal fat.While anyone can develop skin tags, they are more common in older adults.How Is a Skin Tag Diagnosed?A healthcare provider can diagnose a skin tag based on its appearance. If they are not certain, they may perform askin biopsy.With a skin biopsy, a sample is removed and analyzed in the lab.While skin tags are generally harmless, complications can include irritation,pain, and bleeding if they rub against skin, jewelry, or clothing.A skin tag can also become twisted on its stalk, disrupting blood blow and causing tissue death. This can result in a painful and swollen lesion.A Word From VerywellAt-home skin tag removal is not recommended for a number of reasons. Chief among them is the possibility that you accidentally remove a growth other than a skin tag, such as a skin cancer, which could potentially delay diagnosis and treatment.—BRENDAN CAMP, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARDHow to Remove Skin Tags: Medical TreatmentsSeveral methods are available to safely and effectivelyremove skin tags. The best option is to see adermatologist(skin condition specialist), who can evaluate the skin tag and properly remove it. Below is a description of various treatment options.Over-the-Counter SolutionsManyover-the-counter(OTC) skin tag options are available in stores and online. However, little research supports these treatments.OTC products include those that freeze the skin tag andligation bandsthat cut off blood supply to the skin tag. Before trying an at-home treatment, contact a healthcare provider.Are Skin Tag Removal Patches Safe to Use?SurgeryA healthcare provider specializing in conditions of the skin (dermatologist) can use one of several procedures to remove skin tags. They will evaluate the skin tag and determine the best option, which may include:Cryosurgery: Extremely cold liquid nitrogen is applied to the skin tag to freeze it off.Electrodesiccation: A needle is used to send an electrical current to destroy the skin tag.Snipping: The skin is numbed before the healthcare provider cuts off the skin tag with surgical scissors.Can You Prevent Skin Tags?While it may not be possible to prevent every skin tag, strategies may help reduce the likelihood of developing them, including:Maintain normalblood sugarlevels.Maintain ahealthy weight.Avoid wearing jewelry around the neck to prevent friction.Avoid wearing tight or restrictive clothing.If you have skin tags, try to avoid further irritating them.SummarySkin tags are small, harmless growths that can appear anywhere on the skin. They are often seen in areas where the skin experiences friction like the armpits, neck, and under breasts. These skin growths are soft and usually the same color as the surrounding skin.Treatment is not necessary but some people choose to have a healthcare provider remove their skin tags for either aesthetic reasons or because the skin tags are irritated.Always contact a healthcare provider when experiencing a new skin growth to get it properly evaluated and diagnosed.
Skin tags are harmless,benignskin growths, also calledacrochordonsandfibroepithelial polyps. They are often found on the neck and armpits.
While skin tags are not usually a medical concern, they can become irritated or twisted on their stalks, becoming painful. Some people choose to have them removed for this reason or for cosmetic reasons.
This article will discussskin tagcauses, diagnosis, and removal. It will also cover skin tag prevention techniques.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoSkin tags on armpit.DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND
What Does a Skin Tag Look Like?
Skin tagsare painless, small, soft pieces of skin that stick out from the body. They are either directly attached to the skin or are on a stalk and dangle off of the skin.
Skin tags can be anywhere on the body but are typically located in areas of the body where friction occurs (rubbing skin against skin, clothing, or objects). Common spots for skin tags are:
Skin tags can be the same color as the surrounding skin, be darker than the surrounding skin, or can be pink. They tend to be very small but can reach up to 1 centimeter (less than half an inch).
What Causes a Skin Tag?
The primarycause of skin tagsis friction against the skin. This can be from clothes, jewelry, or other areas of skin.For reasons that are not clear, rubbing against the skin encourages the formation of the skin tag.
Risk Factors for Skin Tags
Severalrisk factorsfor developing skin tags include:
While anyone can develop skin tags, they are more common in older adults.
How Is a Skin Tag Diagnosed?
A healthcare provider can diagnose a skin tag based on its appearance. If they are not certain, they may perform askin biopsy.With a skin biopsy, a sample is removed and analyzed in the lab.
While skin tags are generally harmless, complications can include irritation,pain, and bleeding if they rub against skin, jewelry, or clothing.A skin tag can also become twisted on its stalk, disrupting blood blow and causing tissue death. This can result in a painful and swollen lesion.
A Word From VerywellAt-home skin tag removal is not recommended for a number of reasons. Chief among them is the possibility that you accidentally remove a growth other than a skin tag, such as a skin cancer, which could potentially delay diagnosis and treatment.—BRENDAN CAMP, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
At-home skin tag removal is not recommended for a number of reasons. Chief among them is the possibility that you accidentally remove a growth other than a skin tag, such as a skin cancer, which could potentially delay diagnosis and treatment.—BRENDAN CAMP, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
At-home skin tag removal is not recommended for a number of reasons. Chief among them is the possibility that you accidentally remove a growth other than a skin tag, such as a skin cancer, which could potentially delay diagnosis and treatment.
—BRENDAN CAMP, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
How to Remove Skin Tags: Medical Treatments
Several methods are available to safely and effectivelyremove skin tags. The best option is to see adermatologist(skin condition specialist), who can evaluate the skin tag and properly remove it. Below is a description of various treatment options.
Over-the-Counter Solutions
Manyover-the-counter(OTC) skin tag options are available in stores and online. However, little research supports these treatments.
OTC products include those that freeze the skin tag andligation bandsthat cut off blood supply to the skin tag. Before trying an at-home treatment, contact a healthcare provider.
Are Skin Tag Removal Patches Safe to Use?
Surgery
A healthcare provider specializing in conditions of the skin (dermatologist) can use one of several procedures to remove skin tags. They will evaluate the skin tag and determine the best option, which may include:
Can You Prevent Skin Tags?
While it may not be possible to prevent every skin tag, strategies may help reduce the likelihood of developing them, including:
If you have skin tags, try to avoid further irritating them.
Summary
Skin tags are small, harmless growths that can appear anywhere on the skin. They are often seen in areas where the skin experiences friction like the armpits, neck, and under breasts. These skin growths are soft and usually the same color as the surrounding skin.
Treatment is not necessary but some people choose to have a healthcare provider remove their skin tags for either aesthetic reasons or because the skin tags are irritated.Always contact a healthcare provider when experiencing a new skin growth to get it properly evaluated and diagnosed.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Cutaneous skin tag.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin tags: why they develop, and how to remove them.DermNet.Skin tag.Abusailik MA, Muhanna AM, Almuhisen AA, et al.Cutaneous manifestation of polycystic ovary syndrome.Dermatol Reports. 2021;13(2). doi:10.4081/dr.2021.8799Harvard Health.Skin tag removal: optional but effective.Pandey A, Sonthalia S.Skin tags. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Cutaneous skin tag.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin tags: why they develop, and how to remove them.DermNet.Skin tag.Abusailik MA, Muhanna AM, Almuhisen AA, et al.Cutaneous manifestation of polycystic ovary syndrome.Dermatol Reports. 2021;13(2). doi:10.4081/dr.2021.8799Harvard Health.Skin tag removal: optional but effective.Pandey A, Sonthalia S.Skin tags. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Cutaneous skin tag.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin tags: why they develop, and how to remove them.DermNet.Skin tag.Abusailik MA, Muhanna AM, Almuhisen AA, et al.Cutaneous manifestation of polycystic ovary syndrome.Dermatol Reports. 2021;13(2). doi:10.4081/dr.2021.8799Harvard Health.Skin tag removal: optional but effective.Pandey A, Sonthalia S.Skin tags. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.
MedlinePlus.Cutaneous skin tag.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin tags: why they develop, and how to remove them.
DermNet.Skin tag.
Abusailik MA, Muhanna AM, Almuhisen AA, et al.Cutaneous manifestation of polycystic ovary syndrome.Dermatol Reports. 2021;13(2). doi:10.4081/dr.2021.8799
Harvard Health.Skin tag removal: optional but effective.
Pandey A, Sonthalia S.Skin tags. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.
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