What exactly causes skin tags? Here's what dermatologists have to say.
Noticing any new changes to your skin, especially if a new growth pops up, only naturally sets off a series of internal alarm bells: Is that a mole, a wart, a melanoma? If that little bump on your skin just happens to be a skin tag, you’ve got little to worry about.
Skin tags are benign growths, meaning they’re generally harmless. But, if it feels like one just appeared out of nowhere, you might be wondering what causes them in the first place. The reality is that we don’t always know why skin tags form, but there are certainly a few contributing factors as to why you might be more susceptible to developing them. Here’s what dermatologists have to say.
What are skin tags?
Skin tags are generally recognizable as small, bulbous growths connected to the skin with a stalk. They typically measure between one to five millimeters in size, and can be skin-colored or hyperpigmented relative to your normal skin tone, says Dr. Jennifer Shastry, MD, a Northwestern Medicine dermatologist.
Skin tags tend to arise in areas of the skin that are prone to friction, such as the underarms, neck, inner thighs, and sometimes, under the breasts, says Shastry. They can sometimes cause irritation to your skin, especially if they’re rubbing against clothing or jewelry, she says.
Skin tags are generally harmless, but if you notice one pop up on your skin, get it checked out by a doctor to make sure it isn’t anything else, such as melanoma. “Any new growth on the skin that is in isolated growth and is changing really should be evaluated,” Shastry underscores.
Why do skin tags appear?
It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact reason why skin tags crop up, but we do know a mix of genetic and lifestyle factors are probably responsible for their formation, says Dr. Hayley Goldbach, MD, FAAD, FACMS a board certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Brown University.
Skin friction, which occurs when someone’s body shape has areas of skin that rub together, is a likely reason why skin tags develop, Goldbach says. Skin tags have also been associated with pregnancy and certain chronic conditions, including: insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, adds Shastry. Lastly, because there is a genetic component at play, if you’ve noticed people in your family members have skin tags, it’s possible you may be prone to them too, she says.
How do you stop skin tags from appearing?
Unfortunately, there’s no sure fire way to prevent skin tags from forming, especially if you have a genetic predisposition to them, says Shastry. However, to minimize the chance of developing skin tags, it doesn’t hurt to practice healthy lifestyle choices that can help you manage any existing pre-diabetes or diabetes, she suggests.
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Maintaining a healthy weight, and taking the steps to reduce chafing in areas more susceptible to skin friction, may also contribute to less skin tags, adds Goldbach. “But, it's also important to remember that skin tags can be totally normal, so try to love the skin you're in,” she says.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What causes skin tags?
