Medically reviewed by Dr. A.M. van Coevorden, dermatologist, on
Skin tagsSoft skin flaps on the neck
Skin tags (acrochordons) are small, soft, skin-coloured flaps that hang from the skin on a thin stalk. They are benign, occur in almost half of all people and are found mainly on the neck, in the armpits and in the groin.
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What are skin tags?
Skin tags are benign skin growths. They hang from the skin on a thin stalk and feel soft and rubbery. Doctors call them acrochordons or fibroma pendulans. Despite the name, they are not warts: there is no virus involved and they are not contagious.
Skin tags are very common and occur in almost half of all people. Almost everyone over thirty has at least one. They are found mainly on the neck, in the armpits, in the groin, under the breasts and on the eyelids.
Skin tags are not contagious. They are not true warts and no virus is involved.
What causes skin tags?
Exactly how skin tags develop is not fully understood. They are more common in people who are overweight and in people with diabetes. Hormones play a role: during pregnancy they increase in number and size, and women after the menopause often get them.
Factors that play a role:
- Age: they increase from the age of thirty.
- Being overweight and diabetes.
- Pregnancy and hormonal changes.
- Hereditary predisposition: they run in families.
There is nothing you can do to prevent skin tags. Dieting does not help.
What do skin tags look like?
A skin tag is a soft, skin-coloured to light brown flap that hangs on a stalk. Most are one to two millimetres in size. Some grow to a few centimetres.
- Soft, skin-coloured or slightly pigmented flap on a stalk.
- Mainly on the neck, in the armpits, groin, under the breasts and on the eyelids.
- Usually several at once.
- No symptoms, unless they rub against clothing or jewellery.
If a skin tag twists on its stalk, it can become painful, dark or black and die off. This is harmless, but have it assessed if you are unsure.
How does the dermatologist make the diagnosis?
The dermatologist recognises a skin tag by its appearance. No further tests are needed. Sometimes another spot looks like a skin tag, such as a pedunculated mole, a filiform wart or a seborrheic keratosis. The dermatologist therefore looks at shape, colour and location.
With 247dermatologist you upload photos of the spot and answer a few questions. A registered dermatologist assesses within 12 to 48 hours whether it is a skin tag and whether removal makes sense.
Skin tag removal: when and how?
Skin tags do not need treatment. Removal is an option if they rub, irritate or bother you. This is done at a GP or dermatology practice, not online.
Assessment
The dermatologist first confirms that it is a skin tag and not another type of spot. At 247dermatologist we do this based on your photos.
Snipping
The most common method: the stalk is snipped off with sterile scissors, under local anaesthetic if needed. The small wound is cauterised or covered with a plaster.
Other methods
Larger skin tags are sometimes burnt off (electrocautery), frozen with liquid nitrogen or cut out.
Please note
Do not cut off or tie off skin tags yourself. This can cause bleeding, infection and scarring. And you cannot be sure it really is a skin tag.
Do skin tags go away on their own?
No. Skin tags do not disappear by themselves and can increase in number over the years. They are benign and do not turn into skin cancer. After removal the same skin tag rarely comes back, but new ones can appear.
Skin tags: what you can do yourself
- Leave them alone if they cause no symptoms.
- Avoid friction: do not wear necklaces or clothing that rub against the skin tag.
- Do not cut, tie or burn them off yourself.
- Does a spot change colour, grow quickly or bleed? Have it assessed.
When to see a dermatologist or GP?
Have your spot assessed if:
- You are not sure whether it is a skin tag or another type of spot.
- The spot grows quickly, changes colour, bleeds or is painful.
- The skin tag rubs or irritates and you want it removed.
- You have developed many new skin tags in a short time.
A dermatologist at 247dermatologist assesses your photos and tells you whether removal makes sense and where it can be done. No referral needed.
Frequently asked questions about skin tags
Not sure whether this needs a look? Have a dermatologist assess it: you get an answer within 12 to 48 hours, no referral needed. In an emergency, contact your GP straight away or call 112.
Are skin tags dangerous?
No. Skin tags are benign and do not turn into skin cancer. Only if a spot grows quickly, changes colour or bleeds does it need assessment.
Can I remove skin tags myself?
We advise against it. Cutting or tying them off yourself can cause bleeding, infection and scarring. Have it done by a doctor, who first checks that it really is a skin tag.
Why do I keep getting more skin tags?
Skin tags increase with age, with being overweight, with diabetes and during pregnancy. It is a normal phenomenon.
Are skin tags contagious?
No. They are not true warts. No virus is involved, so you cannot pass them on or spread them on your own body.
What is the difference between a skin tag and a seborrheic keratosis?
A skin tag is a soft flap on a stalk. A seborrheic keratosis is a flat or raised, often brown, warty patch that looks stuck onto the skin. Both are benign.
Have a dermatologist look at your skin
Upload photos and answer a few questions. A BIG-registered dermatologist replies within 12 to 48 hours, no referral needed, from € 39.
If more is needed, the dermatologist refers you to a medical specialist.
Want to know what a dermatologist does, when you can see one and how quickly that can happen? Read more about the dermatologist.
Sources and more information
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