By Bridget Sullivan, PA-C,  Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology 

I often get asked about skin tags by patients in the clinic. What are they? Where do they come from? What is the cause? How can I get rid of them? This article will help address these questions and hopefully give clarity about these common growths. 

The medical term for skin tags is Acrochordons. They are benign pedunculated growths on the skin that are commonly found on sites of friction. These areas can include the neck, armpits, eyelids, and groin. The causes of skin tags are multifactorial and can include genetics, hormonal changes (pregnancy), insulin resistance, diabetes, obesity, and friction. They generally do not have any symptoms, but can become inflamed and irritated by rubbing on clothes and jewelry. 

Skin tags will not cause harm, but they can be seen as cosmetically displeasing and can become irritated and inflamed. Please do not try to remove skin tags at home or buy over-the-counter products to try and get rid of them. At home removal can lead to infections, inflammation, scarring, hyperpigmentation, and incomplete removal. In addition, the larger the skin tag, the more it will bleed during removal, so you want to make sure this is done in a medical setting. Also, there are certain skin cancers that can look similar to a skin tag, so you want to ensure that you are not mistaking a malignant growth for a benign one. 

Skin tags can be removed easily by your dermatology provider with liquid nitrogen, electrocautery, or a simple snip/shave removal. I hope this article helped to answer some common questions about skin tags, and as always, please reach out to your medical provider if you have any questions or concerns regarding your skin health.