Skin Tags - What are they?

Q: What’s a skin tag?

A: A skin tag is an acquired skin growth and normally appears as a piece of hanging skin.  Tags typically occur in characteristic locations that includes the neck, eyelids, and under the breasts.  They are commonly smooth or  wrinkled, flesh-colored or dark, and hang out from the skin by a narrow based stalk.  Rare tags can grow to the size of a big grape.

Q: Where are those skin tags most likely to show up?

A: Almost anywhere on the surface of the skin. Most common areas are:

Eyelids, neck, upper chest, armpits, and groin folds.

Q: Who is inclined to develop skin tags?

A: Around half the population is inclined to develop skin tags.   Tags are most common to develop  in middle age and increase in prevalence up to age 60. Tags arise more readily in areas of where the skin experiences friction.

Q: What issues can skin tags cause?

A: These little skin growths generally cause no special symptoms unless directly irritated.  The main cause for removal is cosmetic. Sometimes, a  skin tag may be removed due to irritation or bleeding  . SOverall these are very benign growths that have little to none malignant potential.