Skin tags, also known by the medical term acrochordons, are common, benign skin growths that often appear during pregnancy. These small, soft pieces of tissue consist of loose collagen fibers and blood vessels encased in skin cells. They are typically flesh-colored or slightly darker and attach to the skin’s surface by a slender stalk. While the sudden appearance of new growths can be unsettling, skin tags are a frequent and harmless dermatological change experienced by many expectant mothers.
Frequency and Appearance During Gestation
Skin tags are a common occurrence during gestation, with studies suggesting that up to 50% of expectant mothers develop them. These growths frequently appear during the second trimester, when the body’s physiological changes become more pronounced. Their presence is considered a normal, temporary side effect of pregnancy’s profound impact on the skin.
A typical skin tag is small, often measuring between one and five millimeters, comparable to the size of a grain of rice. They are soft to the touch and easily movable, which helps differentiate them from other skin lesions. Skin tags are most commonly found in areas where skin naturally folds or where there is increased friction from clothing or weight gain.
The most frequent locations for their development include the neck, armpits, beneath the breasts, and the groin area. They may also appear on the eyelids or inner thighs. The color of the growth can match the surrounding skin tone or be slightly darker, ranging from light pink to brown. The appearance of multiple skin tags in a short period is a hallmark of the hormonal changes of pregnancy.
The Physiological Reasons for Their Development
The primary drivers behind skin tag formation during pregnancy are significant hormonal shifts and mechanical pressures placed on the body. Pregnancy causes a dramatic rise in hormones, specifically estrogen and progesterone, which directly influence skin cell activity. These elevated concentrations stimulate the proliferation and growth of skin cells in the outer layers, leading to the formation of these small, protruding growths.
Increased levels of certain growth factors also play a role in this process. For example, the hormone leptin, secreted by both the mother and the developing fetus, stimulates the growth of epithelial cells. The combination of these hormonal and growth factor influences creates an environment conducive to skin tag development.
The physical changes of pregnancy contribute significantly to mechanical causes. Weight gain results in new or enlarged skin folds, increasing skin-on-skin contact and friction in areas like the neck and underarms. This irritation encourages the formation of benign growths. Increased skin laxity from higher estrogen levels further exacerbates this friction, making the skin more prone to rubbing and folding.
When to Consult a Healthcare Provider and Removal Options
While skin tags are almost always benign and pose no health risk, certain changes warrant a consultation with a healthcare provider. Seek medical evaluation if a skin tag suddenly becomes painful, begins to bleed, or shows signs of inflammation or infection. A rapid change in the color, size, or shape of the growth also suggests the need for a professional diagnosis to ensure the lesion is a simple skin tag and not another type of growth.
For skin tags that cause significant discomfort by catching on jewelry or clothing, removal is an option, though it is often delayed. Many pregnancy-related skin tags naturally shrink or disappear after delivery when hormone levels return to their pre-pregnancy state. For those that persist or are cosmetically bothersome, a dermatologist can perform removal using several professional techniques.
Safe in-office removal methods include cryotherapy, which involves freezing the skin tag with liquid nitrogen. Surgical excision involves snipping the growth off at the base with sterile instruments. Cauterization, which uses heat or an electrical current, is another standard procedure. Elective removal is generally discouraged during pregnancy unless the tag is causing significant irritation. Never attempt to remove a skin tag at home due to the high risk of bleeding, infection, and scarring.