Definition A skin tag is a small, brown or flesh-coloured flap of skin that is usually narrow at its base. Skin tags may appear around the neck, under the arms, under the breasts, in groin creases and on the inside of the upper thigh area.
What is going on in the body? There is no known reason for the appearance of skin tags. Skin tags occur most frequently at sites of rubbing and in hot, moist body creases, and more often in people who are overweight.
What are the signs and symptoms of the condition? Symptoms of skin tags include:
soft flaps of skin ranging in size from very tiny to the size of a pencil eraser tip.
soft flaps of skin that are not painful unless skin tags become twisted or irritated and inflamed
What can be done to prevent the condition? There are no known preventions for skin tags.
How is the condition diagnosed? Skin tags are usually found by the person or by a healthcare professional.
What are the risks to others? Skin tags are not contagious.
What are the treatments for the condition? It is usually not medically necessary to treat skin tags. Skin tags can be removed by a doctor by simple snipping, burning with a special heated needle, or freezing the skin tags with liquid nitrogen.
What are the side effects of the treatments? Side effects of treatment for skin tags are rare.
What happens after treatment for the condition? Treated sites should heal quickly with minimal or invisible scarring.
How is the condition monitored? New lesions commonly occur in people with skin tags.
Author: Lynn West, MD Reviewer: eknowhow Medical Review Panel Editor: Dr John Hearne Last Updated: 12/06/2005 Contributors Potential conflict of interest information for reviewers available on request
