You may have noticed these small, soft growths on your body and are wondering what causes skin tags and how to get rid of them. It’s an extra piece of skin that sticks to your body and makes you feel uncomfortable. Adults after 40 usually face this skin concern. This hanging skin forms when extra skin cells build up in exposed areas due to constant friction, commonly on the neck, face, and eyelids.
You can use some effective home remedies for skin tag removal, such as tea tree oil, banana peel, apple cider vinegar, or garlic, to improve skin appearance and reduce skin inflammation, but it’s still recommended don’t try to remove these skin lesions by yourself. Consult with a healthcare professional for better skin appearance.
This skin condition has several names, like acrochordon, cutaneous tags, fibroma molluscum, etc. These skin lesions are harmless and can be painless in some situations.
If you want to know how to treat skin tags, read the article below and learn more about the causes, symptoms, and tips for preventing benign growths.
What are Skin Tags?
Skin tags are small, soft growths that hang from your skin made of collagen and blood vessels. In medical terms, they are known as acrochordons. These wrinkly bumps are darker in colour and look like a mole. Their size is 1 to 5mm, and some can grow larger in centimeters. They are harmless and are common in 1 in 2 adults. These noncancerous growths mostly appear on the following body parts:
- Neck
- Armpits
- Eyelids
- Upper chest
- Under the breast
- Legs
- Arm
What Causes Skin Tags?
Skincare experts aren’t completely sure about the main cause of skin tags to grow; it has not been identified yet. The Japanese Dermatological Association (JDA) has observed the causes of skin tags, and according to their research, the chances of this hanging skin increase in people who are overweight, obese, diabetic, or have genetic or hormonal changes, and are also mainly caused by rubbing skin against clothes.
These harmless skin growths are common in older people and often appear during pregnancy, but they are removed after the baby is born.
What Causes Skin Tags on the Neck
Skin friction is very common in the neck. Wearing scarves, necklaces, and tight-fitting clothes can increase the chances of developing skin tags on the neck. Additionally, sweat and heat can cause severe irritation.
What Causes Skin Tags on the Face
Regular shaving, frequent touching, and the use of makeup removal kits on sensitive skin can cause skin tags on the face. Maintain your daily grooming habits and avoid those things that can trigger skin tags.
What Causes Skin Tags in the Armpits
In the armpits, there’s a continuous movement of skin to skin, which causes sweat and heat and creates friction. A 2007 study found that about 50% of people have experienced this armpit formation at least once in their lives, with the armpit being the most common area.
What Causes Skin Tags on Eyelids
The skin tags on the eyelids are harmless, but the most common factors are pregnancy, obesity, eye touching, and makeup removal. If you want to remove skin tags from your eyelids, consult with a doctor. They will use a pair of scissors to cut the small skin tags.
What are the Symptoms of Skin Tags?
Skin tags occur when the body produces extra cells in the top layer of the skin. These small skin growths form due to the friction where the skin rubs against itself. Because of this, they form on the eyelids, neck, or armpits. These tags are harmless and don’t have any symptoms. They are the same as the skin colour or may be slightly darker.
How to Prevent Skin Tags
You can’t completely prevent skin tags, but you can lower the chances of harmless skin growths. For this, the Global Coalition for Skin Diseases (GCSD) advises maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and wearing jewellery and clothes that don’t irritate or rub against your skin.
In a study, it has been observed that after the age of 40, these flesh tags are common, although they can appear earlier. Around 37% of people aged 40 or older have skin tags. However, these skin bumps don’t appear after the age of 70. Follow a good hygiene routine to keep your skin clean and fresh, and use natural skincare ingredients to minimize the concern of skin tags without causing irritation or infection.
When Should I See My Doctor to Get Rid of Skin Tags
Although these skin tags are common and harmless, you should still consult with a dermatologist, as it’s the safest way for skin tag removal, and you should speak with a doctor for peace of mind if you see any bleeding, irritation, swelling, or multiple tags at once.
Conclusion
As we age, our bodies change, which can cause skin tags, which is normal for many people in their lifestyle. These soft, small growths are harmless and can form for various reasons, such as constant rubbing, diabetes, or obesity.
Don’t ignore these skin tags if you notice any change, like redness, bleeding, or swelling. Be confident and consult with a dermatologist to remove these skin tags.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why do I suddenly get skin tags?
No one knows the exact cause of skin tags, but it’s observed that the skin rubbing against skin forms achrocordons. However, people with obesity or skin folds have a higher risk of skin tags.
How do you get rid of skin tags?
The safest way to remove skin tags is to consult a doctor, who will use simple, safe, effective methods such as cryotherapy, electrodessication, excision, and cautery.
Are skin tags a warning?
Skin tags are a common skin concern that can occur at any age. They can be a warning if you experience bleeding, swelling, redness, or an increase in size, especially if you have diabetes, obesity, or pregnancy.
Which deficiency causes skin tags?
No, they are not caused by a nutrient deficiency. But the factors that can increase the risk of skin tags are insulin resistance, hormonal changes, and friction. It’s recommended to consult a dermatologist if you experience a sudden increase in skin tags.
