Skin tags are common, harmless skin growths that many people develop. They are almost always benign and are not a sign of skin cancer. Despite their harmless nature, their presence can sometimes lead to concern.
Understanding Skin Tags
Skin tags, medically known as acrochordons, are small, soft growths that often resemble a tiny piece of skin hanging from the body by a slender stalk. They usually match the surrounding skin color but can also appear slightly darker or resemble a raised mole. Most skin tags are small (1 to 5 millimeters), but some can grow larger, reaching a few centimeters.
They commonly form in areas where skin rubs against itself or clothing, leading to friction. Locations include the neck, armpits, groin, eyelids, and under the breasts. Skin tags occur when the body produces extra cells in the skin’s top layers. Factors like aging, genetics, hormonal changes (such as during pregnancy), obesity, and certain health conditions (e.g., diabetes, metabolic syndrome) are associated with their development. They do not transform into cancer.
Distinguishing Skin Tags from Other Growths
Skin tags can be confused with other skin growths such as moles, warts, or seborrheic keratoses. Understanding their distinguishing features is helpful for identification. Skin tags are characterized by their soft, movable texture and often hang from the skin by a thin stalk. They are flesh-colored or slightly darker and do not change in size or color over time, remaining painless unless irritated.
In contrast, moles are pigmented growths resulting from clusters of melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment. Moles can be flat or raised, varying in color from light brown to black, and can appear anywhere on the body, including sun-exposed areas. Unlike skin tags, moles can be pre-cancerous or develop into melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. Warts, caused by viral infections, have a rough, bumpy, often cauliflower-like surface, and may appear on hands and feet. Seborrheic keratoses are harmless, wart-like spots that can also resemble moles. While skin tags are non-contagious, warts can spread through direct contact.
When to Seek Medical Advice
While skin tags are harmless, certain changes in any skin growth warrant medical evaluation. Consult a doctor if a skin growth rapidly changes in size, color, or shape. Other concerning signs include bleeding without obvious cause, persistent itching, or pain associated with the growth.
A skin tag that turns black indicates a lack of blood flow or trauma. An inflamed or bright red skin tag, especially if combined with pain, needs attention. Although skin tags themselves are not cancerous, some skin cancers can mimic their appearance, particularly certain basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas, or even melanoma. If there is any uncertainty about a skin growth, or if it looks atypical, seeking medical advice ensures an accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.
Skin Tag Removal Options
Removal of skin tags is performed for cosmetic reasons or if they become irritated by clothing, jewelry, or shaving. These procedures are not medically necessary due to the benign nature of skin tags. Professional removal methods are safe and effective.
Common techniques include:
- Cryotherapy, which involves freezing the skin tag with liquid nitrogen, causing it to fall off.
- Surgical excision, or snip excision, involves cutting the tag off with sterile scissors or a scalpel.
- Electrocautery uses heat to burn off the skin tag.
- Ligation, where the blood supply to the skin tag is cut off, leading it to eventually detach.
Healthcare professionals advise against attempting at-home removal methods due to risks such as infection, excessive bleeding, scarring, or misdiagnosis of a potentially more serious growth. Removal should always be performed or overseen by a qualified healthcare professional to ensure safety and minimize complications.