Skin Tags

Skin tags are unsightly growths that occur more commonly in areas where skin rubs against itself, such as eyelids, armpits, chest and groin. The surface of skin tags may be smooth or irregular in appearance. They are often raised from the surface of the skin on fleshy peduncles, or stalks. They are usually flesh-colored or slightly brownish.Skin tags start small, flattened like a pinhead bump. Some stay small, and some grow bigger. They can range in diameter from 2 millimeters (mm) to 1 centimeter (cm), and some may reach 5cm.

It is not clear exactly what causes skin tags, but it may happen when clusters of collagen and blood vessels become trapped inside thicker pieces of skin.

As they are more common in skin creases or folds, they may be mainly caused by skin rubbing against skin.

Some people appear to inherit an increased susceptibility to skin tags

Skin tags affect people both males and females, but they happen more often during pregnancy, in people who are obese, and in people with diabetes.

They have been associated with hyperinsulinemia, when there is too much insulin circulating in the blood.