Skin tags are small, common skin growths that appear as soft, flesh-colored bumps attached to the skin by a thin stalk. These benign growths, medically known as acrochordons, are not a cause for concern but frequently multiply or appear for the first time during pregnancy. Many people wonder if these new growths are a temporary side effect of gestation that will resolve on their own after childbirth.
What Causes Skin Tags During Pregnancy
The development or increase in skin tags during pregnancy is strongly linked to physiological changes. Hormonal fluctuations are a primary driver, particularly the surge in estrogen and leptin. Leptin, a hormone involved in appetite regulation and fat storage, is secreted by both the mother’s and the fetus’s fat tissue, stimulating the growth of epithelial skin cells.
Elevated estrogen levels also contribute to increased skin laxity and promote skin cell overgrowth. This hormonal environment creates conditions favorable for the hyperactive growth of the outer layer of skin. Skin tags commonly form in areas where skin rubs against skin or clothing, such as the neck, underarms, beneath the breasts, and in the groin area.
Increased friction is compounded by the weight gain that naturally occurs during pregnancy, leading to more pronounced skin folds. This constant rubbing and irritation acts as a physical catalyst for the growths to form. While genetics and pre-existing conditions like insulin resistance predispose some individuals, hormone shifts and friction are the most visible immediate causes during pregnancy.
Will Skin Tags Disappear After Delivery
The question of whether skin tags fall off after pregnancy has a mixed answer. As the body recovers from childbirth, hormone levels, including estrogen and leptin, gradually normalize and return to their pre-pregnancy state. This shift in the hormonal environment can sometimes lead to the involution, or shrinking, of some skin tags.
Smaller, newer skin tags that formed late in the pregnancy may dry up and fall off entirely as the hormonal stimulus subsides. However, many established skin tags, especially those that are larger or have a thicker stalk, often remain after the postpartum period. If they persist and become bothersome, professional removal may be necessary.
Safe Removal Options
For skin tags that do not resolve on their own or become irritated, professional removal is a straightforward and safe option. A dermatologist can perform several minor in-office procedures to remove the growths quickly and painlessly using local anesthesia.
Removal Methods
- Excision: The area is sterilized, and the skin tag is carefully snipped off at its base using surgical scissors or a scalpel.
- Cryotherapy: Liquid nitrogen is applied to freeze the skin tag, causing it to blister and fall off within a week or two.
- Electrocautery: A small electrical current is used to burn the skin tag off, destroying the tissue and sealing small blood vessels.
It is advised to seek professional help rather than attempting removal at home. Self-removal methods carry significant risks of infection, excessive bleeding, and scarring. Consulting a healthcare provider ensures the growth is properly diagnosed and that the removal is performed in a sterile and safe environment.
When to Seek Medical Advice
While skin tags are almost always harmless, any new or changing skin growth should be evaluated by a healthcare professional to ensure accurate diagnosis. It is important to consult a doctor if a growth is painful, bleeds frequently, or shows signs of infection like redness and swelling.
A medical evaluation is also necessary if a growth changes rapidly in color or size, or if it has irregular borders or an asymmetrical shape. These characteristics are not typical of benign skin tags and may indicate another skin condition requiring different management. A dermatologist can easily differentiate a skin tag from other growths like moles or warts.