Benign Skin Lesions

Skin Tag

 

What is a skin tag?
A skin tag is a common, acquired benign skin growth that looks like a piece of hanging skin. They typically occur on the neck, underarms, eyelids, and under the breasts. Typically flesh-colored or brown, they hang from the skin by a small stalk and are usually smooth or slightly wrinkled. They can be between a pinpoint-sized bump or as large as a grape.

Who tends to get skin tags?
Nearly half of the population develops skin tags at some time, although adults get them more often. Skin tags tend to increase in prevalence up to age 60. However, children may also develop skin tags in the underarm and neck areas. People who are overweight also tend to develop skin tags since they arise in areas of skin friction or rubbing.

Is a skin tag a tumor?
Even though skin tags are a type of growth or tumor, they are completely harmless. Tags are not cancerous.

What problems do skin tags cause?
The only problem skin tags may cause is repeated irritation, like by the collar or in the groin. Most people who get them removed do so for cosmetic reasons, but some remove skin tags because of irritation as well. A tag may even fall off by itself without any pain or discomfort.

How are skin tags treated?
Skin tags can be removed with scissors, by freezing, and by burning. Small tags usually don't require any anesthesia, but larger growths may. There are also home remedies and self-treatments, including tying off the small tag stalk with a piece of thread and allowing the tag to fall off over several days. If using freezing or burning methods, problems may include temporary skin discoloration, need for repeat treatment(s), and failure for the tag to fall off. After removal, tags usually do not grow back, but some people are simply more prone to developing skin tags than others.

Do skin tags need to be sent for pathology?
They can usually be removed without sending tissue for microscopic examination. Exceptions are made for large or atypical growths that need to be examined for cancer concerns. Skin tags that have bled or rapidly changed may also need pathologic examination.