A skin tag is a tiny, benign, outgrowth of skin that is typically connected to the underlying skin by a thin stalk. Skin tags look like tiny bits of hanging skin and typically occur in sites where clothing rubs against the skin or where there is skin-to-skin friction, such as the underarms, neck, upper chest, and groin. Skin tags are not present at birth and their frequency increases with age. Skin tags can be observed in about many adults. Studies have shown a genetic predisposition to the development of skin tags. Therefore, skin tags can run in families. A skin tag is medically termed an acrochordon. Sometimes, other terms have been used to refer to skin tags. These include soft warts, soft fibromas, fibroepithelial polyps, fibroma pendulans, and pedunculated fibroma. Skin tags are believed to develop due to friction between adjacent areas of skin or between clothing and skin. Because of the increased skin-to-skin contact and friction, skin tags are more common in overweight or obese people.
Although skin tags can sometimes be seen in children, they tend to increase with age and are most common in middle-aged and older individuals. Studies have suggested an inherited susceptibility to the development of skin tags. Skin tags are not cancers. Reports of skin cancers arising in skin tags are extremely rare. Skin tags are typically flesh-colored or may appear brown in light-skinned individuals. They may be smooth or wrinkled and range in size from very tiny to approximately the size of a grape. Although it is usually possible to recognize a stalk that attaches the skin tag to the underlying skin, very small skin tags may appear as raised bumps on the skin. If a skin tag is twisted on its blood supply it may turn red or black. Skin tags may bleed if caught on clothing or are otherwise torn. Skin tags are not painful and are not associated with any particular skin conditions or symptoms.
Skin tags typically do not require medical treatment unless they are irritating to the patient or if removal for cosmetic reasons is indicated. Treatment of skin tags is only indicated if they are disturbing to the patient. Removal of the skin tags by a healthcare practitioner is the established treatment for skin tags that are irritating or pose cosmetic problems. Removal of skin tags can be accomplished by cutting with a blade or scissors, freezing with liquid nitrogen, or using electric cautery or burning. Removal is done in the doctor's office. Sometimes an ophthalmologist is consulted to remove skin tags on the eyelid. Local anesthesia may be indicated for larger skin tags. Tiny skin tags can typically be removed without anesthesia. It is not possible to prevent the development of skin tags. Skin tag removal is curative, but individuals who tend to develop skin tags will likely develop more skin tags over time. Further procedures may be necessary should removal of future skin tags be desired. Self-treatments are sometimes used, including tying off the small tag stalk with a piece of thread or dental floss and allowing the tag to fall off over several days.
