Dr. Lamiya Gurbanova is a physician who completed her specialization training in…
View profile →We review our content at regular intervals and update it whenever new research or a change in clinical guidelines requires it.
Overview
What Are Skin Tags?
Skin tags are soft, benign growths made of extra skin, often attached by a narrow stalk. They commonly develop in skin folds, such as the neck, armpits, groin, or under the breasts. Skin tags are not the same as moles or warts, and they are not contagious. Adults of any sex can develop them, especially as they get older.
Symptoms
Skin Tag Symptoms
- A soft, flesh-colored or slightly darker growth.
- A growth that hangs from the skin by a narrow stalk.
- A small bump in a skin fold.
- Irritation where clothing or jewelry rubs against the growth.
- Bleeding after repeated snagging or scratching.
Causes
What Causes Skin Tags?
Skin tags may develop when extra cells grow in areas where skin rubs against skin, clothing, or jewelry. The exact reason some people develop them is not always known, and skin tags are not contagious.
Associations are not the same as causes
Friction, hormonal changes, genetics, and metabolic conditions may be associated with skin tags. However, having a skin tag does not prove that you have diabetes or another disease.
Risk Factors
Risk Factors for Skin Tags
- Increasing age.
- A family history of skin tags.
- Pregnancy or other hormonal changes.
- Skin folds that rub together frequently.
- Higher body weight, which may increase skin-to-skin friction.
- Diabetes or metabolic syndrome.
Complications
Possible Complications of Skin Tags
- Bleeding after the tag is snagged or cut.
- Pain or irritation from rubbing.
- Skin infection after an injury or removal attempt.
- Scarring or changes in skin color after removal.
- Delayed evaluation of a different type of growth mistaken for a skin tag.
Avoid unsafe removal
Safer removal choices
Do not cut, tie off, burn, freeze, or apply wart-removal products to a growth without medical guidance. These actions can cause bleeding, burns, infection, or scarring.
Treatment & Management
Skin Tag Removal and Treatment
Harmless skin tags do not need treatment unless they are bothersome, repeatedly irritated, bleeding, or cosmetically concerning. A clinician may first examine the growth to confirm that it is appropriate for removal. If removal is desired, a dermatologist can recommend a suitable method.
| Option | What to expect | Important considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Observation | No procedure is performed. | Reasonable when the tag is confirmed harmless and not bothersome. |
| Snip or shave removal | A clinician removes the tag with a sterile instrument. | May cause brief bleeding, soreness, or a small scar. |
| Freezing | The tissue is treated with cold. | The area may blister, scab, or temporarily change color. |
| Electrosurgery | Heat is used to destroy or remove the tag. | May cause temporary discomfort and a small area of healing skin. |
For people searching how to remove skin tags at home or how to remove skin tags in one night, cutting, tying, burning, or using unapproved products is not reliably safe. Professional skin tag removal still needs time to heal. Follow the wound-care instructions you receive and watch for increasing redness, swelling, drainage, or pain, which may indicate infection.
Prevention
Can Skin Tags Be Prevented?
No proven method prevents every skin tag, especially when age or family tendency contributes. You can reduce repeated rubbing by choosing comfortable clothing, limiting irritating jewelry, and keeping skin folds dry and gently cared for. These steps may reduce irritation but cannot guarantee that new skin tags will not develop.
Outlook and Prognosis
Outlook for Skin Tags
Confirmed skin tags are usually harmless and do not become cancerous. Skin tag removal treats the individual growth, but it does not guarantee that new skin tags will not appear elsewhere or that a treated area will never develop another one.
When Should You See a Doctor
When Should You See a Doctor for a Skin Tag?
When to get medical advice
Have an unusual growth checked
Arrange a clinician or dermatologist visit if a growth is new and uncertain, changes quickly, becomes painful, bleeds without being rubbed, develops an unusual color or shape, grows near the eye and affects vision, or shows signs of infection. Seek evaluation before attempting removal.
At the appointment, mention when the growth appeared, whether it has changed or been irritated, any attempts at removal, and whether multiple similar growths are present. A dermatologist can confirm the diagnosis and discuss safe skin tag removal, including whether observation or a procedure is appropriate.
Branches
1 topic
Skin Tags
Dermatology
