Skin Tag

What is a Skin Tag?

Skin tags, also called acrochodons, are small flesh-coloured or brown growths that hang off the skin and look a bit like warts. They are usually found on the neck, chest, back, armpits, under the breasts or in the groin area, often caused by friction.

Skin tags are not dangerous and very common. They are made up of loosely arranged collagen fibres and blood vessels surrounded by a thick end or thinned-out epidermis.

Skin tags can look smooth or slightly wrinkled and vary in size from 1mm to 5cm. Skin tags usually don’t cause any pain, however, they can be irritated or may end up bleeding if jewellery or clothing or seat belts rub the skin tags. Skin tags can be removed safely with minimal scarring. There are both clinical and home treatments available to remove or stop such skin conditions.

TREATMENTS FOR SKIN TAG

How to identify a skin tag

The main way to identify a skin tag is by the peduncle. Unlike moles and some other skin growths, skin tags hang off the skin by this small stalk.

Most skin tags are tiny, typically smaller than 2 millimeters in size. Some can grow as large as several centimeters. Skin tags are soft to the touch. They may be smooth and round, or they may be wrinkly and asymmetrical. Some skin tags are threadlike and resemble grains of rice.

Skin tags may be flesh-colored. They can also be darker than the surrounding skin due to hyperpigmentation. If a skin tag becomes twisted, it may turn black due to a lack of blood flow.

Risk factors to consider

You may be at greater risk of getting skin tags if you:

are overweight

are pregnant

have family members who have skin tags

have insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes

have HPV

Skin tags don’t become skin cancer. Irritation may occur if they rub with clothing, jewelry, or other skin.

Shave with caution around skin tags. Shaving off a skin tag won’t cause permanent damage, though it may cause pain and prolonged bleeding.