Skin Tags

Skin tags perfectly describe the little growths some people develop around the neck, armpits, or groin, since they appear as little bits of skin. The medical name is acrochordon. The tendency to develop skin tags is inherited, meaning someone in your family likely has these as well. These growths are benign (harmless) and never become cancerous. Skin tags can become irritated or sore from rubbing against clothing or jewelry, and constant friction often causes them to grow.

Treatment

Skin tags do not require removal and are usually only treated if they are symptomatic (painful, itching, inflamed or bleeding) or if the patient finds them unsightly and wants them removed.

Removal of skin tags is a simple office procedure. They may be frozen with liquid nitrogen or snipped off with surgical scissors. Healing is usually complete in a week or two. New skin tags may form even after all previously existing skin tags were removed. There is no way of preventing them.