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HomeHealth TopicDermatology

What Are Skin Tags, and Why Do We Get Them? Pictures, Causes, and Removal

Maria Robinson, MD, MBAMandy Armitage, MD
Updated on November 26, 2024

Key takeaways:

  • Skin tags are noncancerous skin growths that are common in adults. 

  • People may choose to remove skin tags for cosmetic reasons or because they cause symptoms.

  • At-home treatments for skin tags aren’t recommended and can lead to complications, such as infection.

Close-up of a skin tag.
Tetiana Mandziuk/iStock via Getty Images Plus

As dermatologists, one of the most common things we’re asked about is skin tags. People ask questions like: What are they? Why do I get them? How do I get rid of them?

Skin tags — also called acrochordons — are common, non-cancerous skin growths. Here, we’ll review everything you need to know about skin tags, including what may cause them, how they can be removed, and if you should treat them at home. 

What exactly are skin tags (acrochordons)?

Acrochordons is the medical term for “skin tags.” These are soft growths that hang on a thin piece of tissue called a stalk. They’re usually pretty small — about 2 mm to 5 mm, or the size of a crayon tip or pencil eraser. But they can grow to several centimeters. 

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Skin tags are made of loose collagen tissue and blood vessels (parts of normal skin). They can be the color of your skin or look darker. Some people get one skin tag while others can have dozens or more.

People of any age can get skin tags, but they’re much more common in adults. In fact, almost half of adults will have one at some point in their life. 

Skin tag images

Skin tags can happen anywhere on your body. But they’re most common in skin folds, often in areas such as the:

  • Armpits

  • Neck

  • Groin folds

  • Inner thighs

  • Eye area

  • Genitals

  • Area under your breasts

Here are some pictures to show what skin tags look like. 

Close-up of skin tags in the armpit.
Several skin tags under the armpit.
Close-up of skin tags on the upper back.
Skin tags on the upper back.
Close-up of multiple skin tags on the neck.
Small skin tags on the neck.
Close-up of a large skin tag.
A large skin tag.

Why do we get skin tags?

Experts aren’t entirely sure what causes skin tags. There are some theories about why they develop, such as:

Who is at-risk of developing skin tags?

Some factors may increase your risk of getting skin tags. Examples include:

Are skin tags dangerous?

In general, skin tags are harmless and nothing to worry about. They aren’t usually associated with any health problems. But there are some situations when you may want to visit a dermatologist or your primary care provider. These include:

  • If a skin tag changes in size or color quickly 

  • If it bleeds, hurts, or bothers you in any other way

  • If you’re not sure it’s a skin tag (other skin growths, like moles, can look similar)

How do you get rid of skin tags?

Skin tags generally don’t need to be removed. But sometimes people choose to remove them. This can be due to:

  • Cosmetic reasons (appearance)

  • Discomfort or irritation

  • Inconvenience or disturbance (skin tags can get caught on clothes or jewelry)

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  • What does skin cancer look like? Learn about different types of skin cancer and what to look for.

  • What exactly are age spots? Like skin tags, most age spots are harmless. Here’s how to treat and prevent them.

  • Got a bump on your skin? There are all kinds of skin growths and skin conditions. You’re probably familiar with acne, but how about these other bumps?

Remember that it’s best to see a healthcare professional if you’d like to have a skin tag removed. Here are common ways they may remove skin tags:

  • Cutting: This uses surgical scissors or a blade to cut off a skin tag. A healthcare professional will likely numb the area before snipping.

  • Cryotherapy (freezing): To freeze a skin tag, a healthcare professional uses liquid nitrogen spray to freeze it.

  • Burning: A healthcare professional uses an electric current that passes through a wire to burn off a skin tag. 

When a dermatologist or other healthcare professional removes a skin tag, the procedure is usually fairly quick and painless. 

Do at-home removal products for skin tags work?

There are many different at-home skin tag removal products. But they may not be effective, and they can have side effects. In general, healthcare professionals don’t recommend that you remove skin tags yourself. 

Here are some risks of trying to remove a skin tag at-home:

  • Bleeding

  • Getting a skin infection

  • Scarring

  • Damaging healthy skin

  • Removing something other than a skin tag

  • Not removing the whole thing

What happens if you accidentally pull off a skin tag?

If a skin tag accidentally gets pulled off, it’s usually not a problem. If there’s bleeding, apply firm pressure for a few minutes until the bleeding stops. 

As the area heals, look for signs of infection, including:

  • Pain that lasts or worsens

  • Spreading redness

  • Warmth 

  • Drainage or pus

If you notice any of these signs, get medical attention as soon as possible. 

Frequently asked questions

Why are skin tags more common during pregnancy?

Skin tags are more common during pregnancy, but experts aren’t completely sure why. One reason is likely related to weight gain during pregnancy. Skin tags form in places that skin rubs against itself. Hormonal changes may also play a role. 

Do skin tags cause any symptoms?

Usually skin tags don’t cause symptoms. But a skin tag can get irritated if it’s in a spot that gets very sweaty or rubbed a lot. If you accidentally scratch or bump a skin tag, it may bleed a bit. Make sure to visit a healthcare professional if your skin tag quickly changes in size or color or continues to bleed. 

The bottom line

Skin tags are common, noncancerous skin growths. People may choose to remove them for cosmetic reasons or because they get caught in clothing or jewelry. The best way to remove a skin tag is to visit your dermatologist or another healthcare professional. At-home treatments don’t always work and can cause problems like a skin infection.

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Why trust our experts?

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA
Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.
Alex Eastman, PhD, RN
Alex Eastman, PhD, RN, is a California-based registered nurse and staff medical editor at GoodRx, where he focuses on clinical updates and Latino health.
Mandy Armitage, MD
Reviewed by:
Mandy Armitage, MD
Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined her interests in clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.

Images used with permission from VisualDx (www.visualdx.com)

References

Akpinar, F., et al. (2012). Association between acrochordons and the components of metabolic syndrome. European Journal of Dermatology

American Academy of Dermatology Association. (n.d.). Moles: Overview

View All References (8)

American Academy of Dermatology Association. (2022). 5 reasons to see a dermatologist for mole, skin tag removal

American Cancer Society. (2024). Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome (BHD).

American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. (n.d.). Cryosurgery (cryotherapy)

American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. (n.d.). Skin tags

Banik, R., et al. (1987). Skin tags: Localization and frequencies according to sex and age. Dermatologica

Bustan, R. S., et al. (2017). Specific skin signs as a cutaneous marker of diabetes mellitus and the prediabetic state – a systematic review. Danish Medical Journal

National Health Service. (2023). Skin tags

Pandey, A., et al. (2023). Skin tags. StatPearls.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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