Skin tags are a benign growth that appears on the surface of the skin and is usually supported by a stalk.
They come in a variety of sizes, up to 5cm in length, and are most commonly found in the armpits, neck, belly and groin. Obese people and people with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop skin tags.
Acrochordons are another name for skin tags.
Skin tags could be caused by rubbing skin against skin, excessive levels of growth hormones or insulin resistance. But the specific reason skin tags develop is unknown.
Skin tags are completely safe. If they look like seborrheic keratoses, warts or molluscum contagiosum, your doctor may want to inspect them more closely to rule out those conditions.
Skin tags aren't dangerous and don't need to be treated until they become irritating or unsightly. Cryotherapy (freezing), excision, cautery or ligation are all options for removing them in these situations.
