Skin tags aren’t harmful; can be removed

By Jason Sluzevich, M.D.
Posted on September 16, 2022

Dear Mayo Clinic: I have several unsightly skin tags on different areas of my body. As I age, I notice more of these appearing out of nowhere.

What are skin tags, and are they harmful? Can I do something to get rid of them myself, or do I need to see a dermatologist?

A: Skin tags are common and, as in your situation, they can become even more common as people age. It is not known what causes skin tags, but the good news is they are not cancerous and do not pose other health concerns.

The technique for removing skin tags is simple and usually effective. To avoid unnecessary health risks, however, skin tag removal should be performed under the guidance of a physician.

Occasionally, an ophthalmologist may have to remove skin tags close to an eyelid. It is not recommended that people attempt home remedies.

Skin tags — also called acrochordons, soft fibromas or fibroepithelial polyps — are small noncancerous (benign), skin growths. Usually, they are flesh-colored bumps of tissue connected to the skin’s surface by a narrow stalk. The color, texture, size and width of the base can vary.

It may be valuable to talk to a dermatologist about the growths to diagnose whether you have skin tags or another skin disorder that can mimic the appearance of a skin tag. These include benign conditions such as moles, warts and seborrheic keratoses, as well as malignant skin cancers, including melanomas.

Also, in rare cases, development of multiple skin tags may be a sign of an underlying hormonal or endocrine syndrome, such as polycystic ovary syndrome or acromegaly. So medical evaluation is always recommended before treatment.

What causes them?

Friction can play a role in the development of skin tags. Commonly, they are located where skin rubs against skin or clothing.

Frequently, they develop on the neck, underarms and eyelids, as well as within body folds, such as under the breasts or in the groin area. In some cases, skin tags seem to be associated with obesity, and genetic factors also appear to play a role.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to minimize the risk of developing skin tags.

Most skin tags don’t cause symptoms, unless they are repeatedly irritated by rubbing against jewelry, clothing or other items.

The tags are harmless, but they won’t go away without treatment. Reasons for treatment include irritation of a skin tag or if you don’t like the way the skin tag looks.

In some cases, after removal, a specimen may be submitted to a pathology laboratory to rule out the possibility of skin cancer.

Ways to have tags removed

If the diagnosis is a benign skin tag, treatments include removal with sterile surgical scissors, freezing with liquid nitrogen, and electrical burning, or cautery. These treatments often can be completed with minimal discomfort.

Small tags usually are removed easily without anesthesia, while larger growths may require some local anesthesia prior to removal. For multiple tags, applying an anesthetic cream before the procedure may help.

If the skin tag is large or has a broad base, a physician may decide that removal by surgical excision is necessary.

Removal of skin tags is not completely without risk. A skin tag can be removed immediately in the office with surgical scissors or excision, but minor bleeding or a local infection could occur.

With freezing or burning, the skin tag may require a short time to fall off, and these procedures have a risk of skin discoloration — darkening or lightening — following the procedure.

Sometimes, repeat treatments are necessary if the tag doesn’t fall off or it grows back, or if new tags grow in other areas.

If you’re interested in having skin tags removed, talk to your primary healthcare provider about the best option for you. Perhaps the condition can be treated during an office visit.

Or you may be referred to a dermatologist for evaluation. Simple, effective treatments are available.

— Jason Sluzevich, M.D., Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida