Skin tags, medically known as acrochordons, are common, benign skin growths that often appear in areas where the skin naturally folds or experiences friction. These small, soft protrusions are typically flesh-colored or slightly darker and are attached to the body by a tiny stalk. While generally harmless and non-cancerous, their appearance can sometimes cause irritation if they rub against clothing or jewelry.
The Question of Contagion
The direct answer to whether skin tags can spread by touch is no; they are not contagious. Skin tags are localized growths of skin tissue, collagen, and blood vessels, and they do not harbor the infectious agents necessary for transmission. Unlike certain other skin conditions, skin tags are not caused by a virus, bacteria, or fungus, meaning they cannot be “caught” from another person through physical contact. If an individual develops new skin tags over time, this is related to their own internal physiology or mechanical factors, not external transmission.
How Skin Tags Actually Form
Since skin tags do not spread by touch, their formation is linked to internal and mechanical factors unique to the individual. The primary mechanical trigger is chronic friction, where skin repeatedly rubs against skin or clothing. This constant rubbing causes the skin to produce excess cells and collagen, which eventually forms the small, soft projection. This explains why skin tags are most commonly found in skin folds, such as the neck, armpits, groin, under the breasts, and on the eyelids.
Beyond friction, several physiological conditions increase the likelihood of developing these growths. Aging is a significant factor, with the risk rising notably in adults over 40. Metabolic factors and hormonal changes also play a role. Conditions involving insulin resistance, such as Type 2 diabetes and obesity, are strongly associated with their increased occurrence. Furthermore, a genetic predisposition means that having family members with skin tags increases an individual’s own susceptibility.
Distinguishing Skin Tags from Contagious Growths
The concern about skin tags spreading often stems from confusing them with genuinely contagious skin lesions. Certain other common skin growths, such as warts and molluscum contagiosum, are caused by viruses and can be easily transmitted by touch. Warts, for instance, are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and have a rough, often cauliflower-like texture, contrasting sharply with the smooth, soft surface of a skin tag.
A defining visual characteristic of a skin tag is that it usually hangs off the skin by a thin, narrow stalk, or peduncle. Warts, by comparison, are typically firm, have a broad base, and grow deep into the skin. Molluscum contagiosum, caused by a Poxvirus, presents as small, firm, dome-shaped bumps with a central indentation, unlike the fleshy nature of an acrochordon.
Understanding these differences is important for identifying the nature of the growth. While skin tags are non-viral and non-contagious, the presence of a growth that appears rough, firm, or is quickly multiplying should prompt a consultation with a healthcare provider. This distinction ensures that any potentially contagious lesions receive appropriate treatment.