Skin tags

Skin tags (acrochordons) are small, soft, harmless skin growths that usually hang off the skin by a thin stalk. They are very common, particularly with age, and are not cancerous. They most often appear on the neck, eyelids, armpits, under the breasts, and in the groin — areas where skin rubs against skin or clothing.

Who gets them?

Risk factors include:

• Age — more common with middle age and older
• Obesity — skin folds with friction promote them
• Diabetes — higher prevalence in people with type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance
• Pregnancy — hormonal changes can trigger new ones
• Family history

Do they need treatment?

No — they are harmless and don't need treatment medically. People often want them removed for cosmetic reasons or if they catch on clothing, jewellery, or razors. A dermatologist can remove skin tags easily in the clinic using:

• Cryotherapy — freezing with liquid nitrogen
• Electrocautery — burning with a small electric current
• Snipping with sterile scissors
• Ligation — tying with a thread to cut off blood supply

Don't try to remove skin tags at home with thread, razors, or over-the-counter "tag remover" creams. Risks include bleeding, infection, scarring, and sometimes removal of something that wasn't a skin tag (a mole or skin cancer can look similar).

See a doctor if a skin growth changes colour, bleeds, grows rapidly, becomes painful, or you're not sure what it is. While most skin tags are harmless, some skin cancers can mimic them.