A skin tag can be removed immediately in the office with surgical scissors or excision, but minor bleeding or a local infection could occur. Removal of skin tags is not completely without risk. If the skin tag is large or has a broad base, a physician may decide that removal by surgical excision is necessary. For multiple tags, applying an anesthetic cream before the procedure may help. Small tags usually are removed easily without anesthesia, while larger growths may require some local anesthesia prior to removal. These treatments often can be completed with minimal discomfort. If the diagnosis is a benign skin tag, treatments include removal with sterile surgical scissors freezing with liquid nitrogen and electrical burning, or cautery. In some cases, after removal, a specimen may be submitted to a pathology laboratory to rule out the possibility of skin cancer. Reasons for treatment include irritation of a skin tag or if you don't like the way the skin tag looks. The tags are harmless, but they won't go away without treatment.

Most skin tags don't cause symptoms, unless they are repeatedly irritated by rubbing against jewelry, clothing or other items. Unfortunately, there's no way to minimize the risk of developing skin tags. In some cases, skin tags seem to be associated with obesity, and genetic factors also appear to play a role. 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. Commonly, they are located where skin rubs against skin or clothing. So medical evaluation is always recommended before treatment.įriction can play a role in the development of skin tags. These include benign conditions such as moles, warts and seborrheic keratoses, as well as malignant skin cancers, including melanomas.Īlso, 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. 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. The color, texture, size and width of the base can vary. Usually, they are flesh-colored bumps of tissue connected to the skin's surface by a narrow stalk.

Skin tags, also called acrochordons, soft fibromas or fibroepithelial polyps, are small noncancerous, or benign, skin growths. It is not recommended that people attempt home remedies. Occasionally, an ophthalmologist may have to remove skin tags close to an eyelid. To avoid unnecessary health risks, however, skin tag removal should be performed under the guidance of a physician. The technique for removing skin tags is simple and usually effective. It is not known what causes skin tags, but the good news is they are not cancerous and do not pose other health concerns.

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?ĪNSWER: Skin tags are common, and, as in your situation, they can become even more common as people age. As I age, I notice more of these skin tags appearing out of nowhere. DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have several unsightly skin tags on different areas of my body.

Pictures of skin tags