Skin tags are flesh-colored and soft, and generally very small, forming in areas of skin that rub against one another. They are benign but bothersome to many people, either in their positioning or their appearance. Heights Dermatology is here for guidance and treatment if skin tags bother you.
What Are Skin Tags?
Skin tags, also known as acrochordons, are noncancerous skin tumors that occur in areas where the skin folds against itself. They are typically small, measuring from a few millimeters in diameter to the size of a grape, and may be supported by a narrow stalk. They are noncancerous and painless, but they can become irritated if they become repeatedly rubbed by clothes or jewelry.
Causes of Skin Tags
Even though the exact cause of skin tags is unclear, there are several contributing factors that lead to their development, including:
- Friction: Areas that tend to rub against one another, such as the neck, armpits, groin, and around the breast area, are common areas for skin tags.
- Genetics: Some people are more likely to acquire skin tags due to hereditary factors.
- Age: With advancing age, particularly in middle-aged and older individuals, skin tags become more common.
- Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes and increased friction in the skin during pregnancy lead women to acquire skin tags.
- Obesity: Being overweight leads to more skin folds and friction, increasing the chances of developing skin tags.
- Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome: There is evidence from studies that connects skin tags with insulin resistance, and therefore they appear more often in diabetic individuals
Symptoms of Skin Tags
Skin tags generally appear as painless, flesh-colored, or darkly pigmented, soft growths that hang from the skin. They may be:
- Smooth, with slight wrinkling.
- Rounded in shape
- It is attached to a thick stalk
- Present in areas with friction such as the neck, eyelids, armpits, groin, and beneath the breasts
Although skin tags are non-cancerous, they can become irritated, inflamed, or bleed if repeatedly rubbed against something, like clothes and jewelry.
Contact Heights Dermatology in Houston Today
Do you suffer from annoying skin tags, or perhaps wonder about a suspicious skin growth? Heights Dermatology is ready to assist. Our professional dermatologists in Houston can assess your skin problem and provide expert advice regarding what should be done. Contact us today to receive professional treatment.
