Raechele Cochran Gathers, MD Skin tags are small, skin colored, painless growths that occur on the skin. They are commonly found around the neck, armpits and eyelids. While skin tags are harmless, they can be unsightly and irritating. Many wonder, why do you get skin tags? And how can you get rid of them?
What Are Skin Tags?
Skin tags are small fleshy growths, usually only a few millimeters big. They are typically connected to your skin by a small thin stalk. Skin tags are more common as you get older, and they can occur in both men and women. Skin tags can occur almost anywhere on the skin, but are most common on:
- Neck
- Armpits
- Inner thighs
- Around eyes
- Under breasts
Skin tags on the neck
Why Do You Get Skin Tags?
The exact cause of skin tags is not known, but we do know that they are more common in people with certain medical conditions. Being overweight or having diabetes may put you at higher risk of getting skin tags. High BMI (body mass index), insulin resistance and high blood triglycerides were found to be associated with skin tags in this study.
People with skin tags may also be more likely to have acanthosis nigricans, a condition where the skin becomes darker, commonly on the neck, armpits and face.
Skin tags and acanthosis nigricans on the neck
Skin Tag Risk Factors
- Overweight
- Diabetes/prediabetes
- Family history of skin tags
- Pregnancy
- High Cholesterol
- High Triglycerides
Getting Rid of Skin Tags
Having skin tags removed is a common and relatively simple office procedure. In some cases, you might not even need local anesthetic. Your doctor may remove skin tags by:
- Snipping: Uses surgical scissors to cut skin tag at the base
- Cryotherapy: Uses liquid nitrogen to freeze skin tag off
- Electrosurgery: Uses a type of electrical current to burn the skin tag off
Conclusion
If you think you might have skin tags, see a dermatologist to confirm this. Sometimes other types of moles, or even warts, can look a lot like skin tags. There are many ‘home remedies’ that are often suggested for removing skin tags, but it is safest to see your physician to have your skin tags removed.
