Any new changes to your skin, especially if new growths appear, naturally set off a series of internal alarm bells. “Is it a mole, a wart, or a melanoma?” If a small bump on your skin happens to be a skin tag, there’s little to worry about.
Skin tags are benign growths and are usually harmless. But if it feels like it comes out of nowhere, you might wonder what’s causing it in the first place. The truth is, we don’t necessarily know why skin tags form, but we do know that there are several factors that can explain why skin tags are more likely to occur. Here’s what dermatologists have to say:
What is a skin tag?
Skin tags are generally recognized as small bulbous growths connected to the skin by a stalk. They are typically 1 to 5 millimeters in size and can be flesh-colored or pigmented compared to your normal skin color, according to Dr. Jennifer Shastry, a dermatologist at Northwestern Medicine.
Shastri says skin tags tend to occur in areas of skin that are susceptible to friction, such as the armpits, neck, inner thighs, and sometimes under the breasts. It can cause skin irritation, especially if it rubs against clothing or jewelry, she says.
Skin tags are usually harmless, but if you see a skin tag on your skin, see your doctor to make sure it’s not another disease, such as melanoma. “New growths on the skin that are isolated and changing should really be evaluated,” Shastri emphasizes.
Why do skin tags appear?
While it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact reason why skin tags occur, we do know that a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors likely play a role in their formation, says FAAD, FACMS Certified Skin says Dr. Haley Goldbach, a physician and Morse Dr. Surgeon at Brown University.
Goldbach says skin tags are likely caused by skin friction, which occurs when your body type causes areas of skin to rub against each other. Skin tags are also associated with pregnancy and certain chronic diseases such as insulin resistance, prediabetes, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, Shastri added. Finally, she says, there’s a genetic component at play, so if someone in your family has skin tags, you may be more susceptible to them, too.
How can I prevent skin tags from appearing?
Unfortunately, there’s no surefire way to prevent skin tags from forming, especially if you have a genetic predisposition to them, Shastri says. But to minimize the chance of developing skin tags, she suggests it doesn’t hurt to practice healthy lifestyle choices that help manage existing prediabetes or diabetes.
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Maintaining a healthy weight and taking steps to reduce chafing in sensitive areas of the skin may also help reduce skin tags, Goldbach adds. “But it’s also important to remember that skin tags can be completely normal, so try to love your skin,” she says.