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

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. 

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. 

Several skin tags under the armpit.

Skin tags on the upper back.

Small skin tags on the neck.

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:

• Skin friction or rubbing

• Part of the normal aging process

• Associated with insulin resistance

• From human papillomavirus virus (HPV), which is the same virus family that causes warts 

Who is at-risk of developing skin tags?

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

• Having family members with skin tags

• Being pregnant

• Having higher levels of blood sugar (glucose), which can be associated with prediabetes or diabetes

• Having a higher body mass index (BMI)

• Having other signs of metabolic syndrome (like high cholesterol)

• Having a rare genetic condition (like Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome)

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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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. 

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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. 

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Written by:

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.

Edited by:

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.

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.

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