Skin Tags

Recognizing Skin Tags

Skin tags are small, soft growths that extend from the skin. They are often connected by a thinner stalk. Most tags are only a few millimeters in length, but occasionally they can be up to half an inch long. They tend to grow slowly over time. They are usually the same color as the surrounding skin.

These growths are painless unless they become irritated by clothing rubbing against them. Common locations include the neck, chest, back, underarms, and groin. However, they can appear anywhere, including the eyelids.

Who Gets Them

Skin tags are very common, and anyone can get them. They are more common in people with diabetes and in people who are overweight. They are also more common in older people and occur more often in women than in men. There is a genetic component, too: people whose parents have many skin tags may be more likely to get them. They are not contagious.

Some people worry that using a certain cosmetic, lotion, or deodorant may have caused the growths. However, it appears that the growths simply develop on their own. It's possible that chafing, such as occurs in the armpits, could contribute.

Getting Rid of Them

Removing skin tags is not necessary unless they are bothersome. Tags on the face, neck, or other visible areas may be embarrassing. Tags in certain locations will be frequently irritated, for example by bra straps or a shoulder bag.

When a skin tag causes problems, it can be removed by a doctor. Unfortunately, insurance companies consider most removals to be "cosmetic," which means they don't have to pay for them.

Options for removal include:

• Snipping them off with scissors. This is a simple and effective way to remove small tags, but it should always be done at the doctor's office. The skin may need to be numbed, and using non-sterile equipment could lead to infection.
• Removing them with a scalpel. For larger tags or small tags that are difficult to snip, clean removal can be done with a scalpel.
• Burning them with electricity. Electrocauterization, the use of an electric current to burn away the tag, can be done with a special tool.
• Freezing them with liquid nitrogen. Liquid nitrogen is an extremely cold substance which can destroy skin on contact. It can be used to eliminate skin tags.

Follow-Up

When properly removed, skin tags usually don't require any follow-up care. Scarring can happen, but it is unlikely. Once the area has healed, the tag generally won't reappear. However, new tags may grow nearby. Keeping free of them may require repeated visits to the doctor for removal.

Cause for Concern

Skin tags themselves are harmless. They are not a type of skin cancer, and they do not turn into cancer. But sometimes a more serious condition can mimic a benign growth. It's important to seek treatment from a doctor if:

• The tag bleeds or becomes irritated and does not heal.
• The tag changes shape or color.
• The skin around the tag appears discolored or irritated.

Home Remedies

One old-fashioned remedy is to tie a string around the base of the tag, cutting off the blood supply. However, since moles and even some skin cancers can look like benign tags, it's best to see a physician for removal. That way, if there is any chance of cancer, the doctor can send the tag to a pathologist.

Health advisor Dr. Andrew Weil recommends trying an herb called bloodroot (scientific name Sanguinaria canadensis). Applying a paste made from this herb may make a tag go away. Dr. Weil cautions that the herb is poisonous if taken by mouth.

For More Information

For photographs of these skin growths, try

• DermNetNZ, from the New Zealand Dermatological Society.