What Causes Skin Tags and Effective Ways to Treat Them

Skin tags are a common skin condition that can affect anyone, regardless of gender or age. Despite being harmless and non-contagious, they can sometimes become a cause of discomfort or aesthetic concerns due to their size or number.

In this guide, we’ll try to understand what skin tags are, the common skin tag causes, the usual treatment options, and prevention tips. We’ll also discuss when to see your dermatologist and answer some commonly asked questions about skin tags.

What are Skin Tags?

A skin tag, medically known as an acrochordon, is a noncancerous growth of soft skin that has a stalk or stem. Skin tags are made up of a special type of protein called collagen and blood vessels.

Skin tags are the same color as your skin and can sometimes be darker, resembling a raised mole. They are usually smaller in size, ranging from less than a millimeter to five millimeters. In some rare cases, they can grow up to more than five centimeters.

Skin tag formation often occurs in areas where the skin regularly rubs against itself, such as:

Armpits
Eyelids
Groin
Thighs
Neck
Under the breasts
Genitals

Common Causes of Skin Tags

Why do skin tags appear? Despite being very common, the exact medical causes of skin tags are not fully understood. They may develop when clusters of collagen and blood vessels become trapped within thicker areas of skin. Because skin tags commonly occur in skin folds, it is generally believed that they are caused by friction.

As the researchers continue to discover the causes of skin tags, below are some of the most common conditions and risk factors for skin tags:

Being Overweight

Skin tags are seen to be more common in people who are overweight. Due to excess weight, the skin has more folds, which increases friction between the skin and the likelihood of skin tag formation.

Hormonal Changes

Skin tags are more common in women than in men, likely due to the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy or menopause. Females also generally have more fatty tissue, which makes them more prone to skin folds where skin tag formation occurs.

Diabetes

Research suggests that individuals with diabetes are likely to have more skin tags. This is due to a connection between insulin resistance and skin tag development. People with a high number of skin tags might be tested for diabetes, as they can be a symptom of insulin issues.

Aging

Skin tags can appear at any age, but they are more common in people over the age of 40. Almost 37% of individuals with skin tags are aged 40 or older. However, the development of new skin tags usually stops after the age of 70.

Metabolic Syndrome

Skin tags may be a symptom of metabolic syndrome conditions, which increase the risk of cardiovascular issues. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that include high blood pressure, insulin resistance or diabetes, abnormal cholesterol levels, and obesity.

Genetics

Some individuals seem to have a higher tendency to develop skin tags, which may be influenced by inherited factors. Researchers suggest there could be a genetic connection that makes certain people more prone to skin tags than others.

Can You Prevent Skin Tags?

Skin tags can not be completely prevented, but certain lifestyle changes can lower the chances of developing them. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise can help in weight management and prevent metabolic issues. This can reduce the formation of skin tags by reducing the friction in the skin folds and improving metabolism.

Also, following healthy skincare practices and wearing breathable clothes can help reduce irritation.

Are Skin Tags Contagious?

Skin tags are not a contagious condition. They do not spread from person to person through direct contact or touching contaminated surfaces. They also aren’t self-contagious and do not spread from one part of the body to another by touching them and then touching another part of the body.

How to Treat Skin Tags

Skin tags are generally harmless, but you can get them removed for aesthetic reasons. Bigger skin tags can cause irritation by rubbing against clothes and other wearables.

Over-the-Counter Treatments

Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments for skin tags are usually available at pharmacies. These treatments include DIY freezing kits and ligation products. Freezing kits use cold substances to remove the skin tags by freezing them, while ligation cuts the blood supply and causes the tag to fall off.

While DIY skin tag removal products are available, medical professionals advise against them. Removing skin tags at home without medical supervision can result in bleeding, skin damage, scarring, or even infection.

Medical Procedures to Remove Skin Tags

Removing skin tags is a simple medical procedure performed by a medical professional such as a dermatologist. The treatment depends on the size and location of the skin tags on the body. The three most common procedures are:

Cryosurgery: This type of procedure involves removing the skin tag by freezing it with an extremely cold substance such as liquid nitrogen. The freezing causes a blister that falls off with the skin tag. Sometimes, only the bottom of the tag is frozen and snipped off with a sterile razor.
Hyfrecation: This involves burning the skin tag with electrical energy. The dermatologist will use a fine needle that delivers low-voltage current to the precise area and burns the tag. The scab caused by the current heals in a week or two.
Excision: Using this procedure, the dermatologist will numb the area and remove the skin tag with a surgical razor or other cutting instrument.

These procedures must be performed by a medical professional, so you should never try to do them yourself or with the help of a non-medical professional.

When Should You See a Dermatologist?

Most skin tags are harmless and usually don’t need treatment. But if one changes in color, size, or shape, or starts to hurt, it’s important to see a dermatologist. These changes might mean it’s a different skin problem that should be checked. Having a doctor remove a skin tag is also safer and helps lower the chance of infection or scarring.

Final Thoughts

Skin tags, though harmless, can be annoying. You can prevent them by maintaining a healthy weight, wearing breathable clothing, and managing conditions like diabetes. If you want to remove them, consult a medical professional, as home treatments risk complications.

A good skincare routine can help you maintain healthy skin and avoid irritation. Miracle of Aloe’s offers aloe-based skincare products that keep your skin moisturized, healthy, and clear.

FAQs

Q: What causes skin tags to form on the neck?

A: Skin tags on the neck are primarily caused by friction from skin rubbing against skin, clothing, or jewelry. It can also occur due to factors like excess weight, hormonal changes, or genetics.

Q: How can I prevent skin tags naturally?

A: Maintain a healthy weight, wear breathable clothing to reduce friction, and practice good skincare to minimize irritation in skin folds.

Q: Are skin tags caused by poor hygiene?

A: No, skin tags are not caused by poor hygiene. They result from friction, genetics, or underlying conditions like obesity or diabetes.

Q: Can weight loss prevent skin tags?

A: Yes, weight loss can reduce skin folds and friction, lowering the likelihood of skin tag formation.

Q: Do skin tags go away on their own?

A: Skin tags typically do not go away on their own unless their blood supply is cut off naturally, which is rare.

Q: Why do skin tags form during pregnancy?

A: Hormonal changes and increased skin folds due to weight gain during pregnancy can increase friction, leading to skin tag formation.

Q: How do you get rid of skin tags at home?

A: Over-the-counter freezing or ligation kits are available, but dermatologists advise against home removal due to risks of bleeding, scarring, or infection. Always consult a professional for skin tag removal.

Q: Why do skin tags form in certain areas?

A: Skin tags form in areas where skin frequently rubs against itself, such as the neck, armpits, groin, eyelids, under the breasts, or genitals.

What Causes Skin Tags and Effective Ways to Treat Them

What are Skin Tags?