Skin tags, medically known as acrochordons, are common, benign skin growths that affect a large portion of the adult population. While they can develop almost anywhere on the body, they frequently appear in areas where skin folds or friction occurs, including the delicate skin around the eyes. Their presence near the eyes often raises questions about their cause and potential risks due to the sensitivity of the location. This article explores the definition of skin tags, the unique reasons for their formation in the eye area, how to distinguish them from other lesions, and the safest methods for their removal.
Defining Skin Tags and Their Appearance Near the Eye
Skin tags are small, soft, non-cancerous growths that typically hang off the skin’s surface by a thin stalk, a structure known as a peduncle. Microscopically, they consist of a core of collagen fibers and blood vessels covered by the epidermis. Their appearance is usually flesh-colored or slightly darker, often resembling a small flap or a wrinkled balloon. These growths are generally small, often measuring less than a grain of rice. The skin around the eyes, particularly the eyelids, is thin and highly visible, which makes any small growth in this location particularly noticeable. Although they are harmless, their location can sometimes lead to irritation if they are rubbed or caught, or they may become a cosmetic concern. Estimates suggest that up to 60 percent of adults will develop at least one skin tag in their lifetime, with incidence increasing after age forty.
Specific Reasons They Form in the Eye Area
The primary mechanism contributing to skin tag formation is chronic friction from skin rubbing against skin or clothing. Around the eyes, this localized friction occurs due to repetitive actions like blinking, frequent eye rubbing, and the constant movement of the eyelid skin. Applying and removing thick makeup can also contribute to mechanical irritation of the periocular skin. External objects like glasses frames introduce another source of constant rubbing.
Beyond local irritation, several biological factors increase the likelihood of developing skin tags. A genetic predisposition exists, meaning skin tags often run in families. Systemic health conditions also play a significant role in making the skin more prone to these growths. Skin tags are often associated with insulin resistance, a condition where the body’s cells do not respond effectively to insulin. High levels of circulating insulin can act as a growth factor, stimulating the proliferation of skin cells. This connection links skin tags to conditions like type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Incidence tends to increase with age, with most people developing them after the fourth decade of life. Hormonal changes, such as those that occur during pregnancy, can temporarily increase the likelihood of skin tag formation. Excess weight and obesity increase skin folding and friction across the body, adding to the systemic risk factors.
Distinguishing Skin Tags from Other Bumps
Given the sensitivity of the eye area, it is important to differentiate a skin tag from other common periocular lesions. Unlike skin tags, which are soft and attached by a stalk, milia are tiny, firm, white or yellowish bumps. Milia are small cysts formed when keratin, a skin protein, becomes trapped beneath the skin’s surface. They do not hang and cannot be “popped.”
Another common growth is seborrheic keratosis, which can appear near the eyes. These growths tend to be waxy, slightly raised, and often look like they were “stuck on” the skin. Seborrheic keratoses are typically tan, brown, or black and have a dry, scaly texture, distinguishing them from the smooth, soft texture of a skin tag. It is necessary to seek a professional evaluation for any new growth near the eye. Any growth that exhibits sudden changes, such as rapid increase in size, alteration in color, bleeding, or the development of pain, requires immediate dermatological attention. Professional assessment ensures that the lesion is truly benign and not a more concerning condition.
Safe Removal Options
While skin tags are harmless, removal may be desired for cosmetic reasons or if the growth interferes with vision or causes irritation. Due to the proximity to the eye, professional removal by a dermatologist or oculoplastic surgeon is recommended to minimize risks. Trying to remove growths near the eye at home carries a high risk of infection, scarring, and potential damage to the eye itself. Dermatologists employ several safe and effective techniques to remove acrochordons.
Professional Removal Methods
- Cryotherapy involves freezing the skin tag using liquid nitrogen, causing the tissue to die and fall off within a week or two.
- Electrocautery uses controlled heat to burn off the skin tag at its base, which also seals the blood vessels to prevent bleeding.
- For smaller skin tags with a thin base, snip excision is used, where the growth is cut off using sterile surgical scissors or a scalpel after numbing the area.
- Ligation is an option where the base of the tag is tied off, cutting off the blood supply and causing the tag to wither and fall off.
Professional removal ensures the use of sterile techniques and allows for the precise targeting of the growth in the sensitive periocular region.