Skin Tags

What are skin tags?

Skin tags are small, soft lumps that grow on your skin. They're very common and usually nothing to worry about. They look like tiny pieces of skin hanging off your body, a bit like a small flap.

Most skin tags are the same colour as the rest of your skin, or slightly darker. They don't usually hurt and are completely harmless.

Where do skin tags appear?

Skin tags love to grow in places where your skin rubs together or folds. You'll most often find them:

• On your neck
• Under your arms
• On your eyelids
• Under your breasts
• Around your bottom area

They can be tiny (about 2mm - roughly the size of a pinhead) or much larger (up to 5cm - about the size of a 50p coin). Some people get just one, while others might develop a whole group of them.

How are they different from warts and moles?

It's easy to mix up skin tags with other skin growths, but they're quite different:

Warts usually appear on your hands and feet. They feel firm and rough to touch, and stick up from your skin.

Moles are typically found on areas that see lots of sun. They're usually flat, round or oval-shaped, and can be pink, light brown, or dark brown depending on your skin colour.

What causes skin tags?

We don't always know exactly why skin tags develop, but they often happen when skin rubs against skin repeatedly. Anyone can get them, and there's no way to prevent them.

You might be more likely to develop skin tags if:

• You're carrying extra weight or have skin folds that rub together
• You have type 2 diabetes (the body's response to insulin might play a role)
• You're pregnant (hormonal changes during pregnancy can trigger their growth)

When should you speak to your GP?

Most skin tags are harmless and don't need any treatment. However, you should speak to your GP if you notice a skin tag that:

• Gets bigger
• Becomes painful
• Starts bleeding
• You suddenly develop lots of new ones

Can skin tags be removed?

If your skin tags are bothering you, they can be removed. Methods include:

• Using heat treatment
• Freezing them off
• Cutting them with surgical tools

Once removed, skin tags don't usually grow back in the same spot. However, removing them can sometimes cause scarring or make the skin darker where the tag was, especially on darker skin tones. These changes are usually temporary but can sometimes be permanent.

Important: The NHS considers skin tag removal cosmetic surgery, so you'll usually need to pay privately. Never try to remove skin tags yourself - this can lead to infection, bleeding, and scarring.

The bottom line

Skin tags are extremely common and almost always harmless. While they might be annoying or make you feel self-conscious, they're not dangerous. If you're worried about any changes to your skin tags or skin in general, speak to your GP for advice.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.