Skin tags are not really anything anyone wants, and often people who want to avoid them ask; “why do skin tags form?”

Skin tags, also known as acrochordon, are small and harmless tumors that usually occur in areas of the body where the skin forms a crease—in the neck, groin or armpit. They can also grow on the face, more specifically on the eyelids. This type of infection has a growth range between the size of a granule of rice and a golf ball. Frequently, a skin tag is elevated from the skin’s surface on a peduncle (fleshy stalk). A skin tag’s surface may be manifested as irregular or smooth.

As to the question, why do skin tags form? The reason and cause is not fully known. However, the infection is associated with age and body type—obese individuals usually get affected with this kind of tumor growth. Also, they can be found springing forth on pregnant women and in people with diabetes mellitus. Scientists or medical experts hypothesize that a genetic factor is involved with the presence of skin tags.

The removal of this tumor growth involves the administration of anesthesia (local anesthesia is most commonly used) because acrochordon contains nerve cells. Treatments such as cauterization, cryosurgery, ligation and excision are applied for the removal of skin tags. Cauterization utilizes an electrolysis instrument; cryosurgery implements the concept of freezing the tumor, ligation is the cutting off of the affected area’s blood supply, and excision employs the use of a scalpel or any other surgical instrument. These methods are classified as minor surgical procedures and are usually done in a clinic or physician’s office.

Tags: Why Do Skin Tags Form?