Skin tags
Why skin tags occur
Skin tags are made of loose collagen fibres and blood vessels surrounded by skin. Collagen is a type of protein found throughout the body.
Both men and women can develop skin tags. They tend to occur in older people and people who are obese or have type 2 diabetes .
Pregnant women may also be more likely to develop skin tags as a result of changes in their hormone levels. Some people develop them for no apparent reason.
Skin tags tend to grow in the skin folds, where the skinrubs against itself, such as on the neck, armpits or groin. This is whythey tend to affect overweight people who have excess folds of skin and skin chafing.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Read about skin tags (small flesh-coloured growths), including why they occur, when they can be a problem and how they can be removed.
Why skin tags occur
Skin tags are made of loose collagen fibres and blood vessels surrounded by skin. Collagen is a type of protein found throughout the body. Both men and women can develop skin tags. They tend to occur
When skin tags can be a problem
Skin tags are harmless and don't usually cause pain or discomfort. However, you may consider having skin tags removed if they're affecting your self-esteem, or ifthey snag on clothing or jewellery an
Removingskin tags
Don't try to remove a skin tag without speaking to your GP first. If you have a skin tag that's causing problems, consider making an appointment with a privately practisingGP to have it removed. Skin
Skin tag or wart?
Compared to warts, skin tags are: smooth and soft (warts tend to be rougher with an irregular surface) knobbly and hang off the skin (warts are usually slightly raised or flat) not contagious (war
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