Jul 5 I have a skin tag… now what?

It’s not a pretty sight, a bit of skin attached to other skin. How does it get there? How do you take it off? Is it contagious? There’s a lot of questions. First of all, let’s look at what a skin tag (or acrochordon) actually is. A flesh-coloured skin tag is a harmless type of skin growth or benign tumor, however a different colour could indicate the need for a skin biopsy. A skin tag is a very common piece of skin projecting from the surrounding skin from a small, narrow stalk. Skin tags are usually found around the base of the neck, eyelids, underarms, groin folds, and under the breasts (especially in women who wear underwire bras).

Most of the general population has had, or will have, a skin tag at some point in their lives. Skin tags usually arise in adulthood, but have been seen in children and toddlers. They are much more common among middle-aged men and women, but they have a tendency to increase in prevalence up to age 60.

As far as skin tag treatment goes, it’s not something you need to do. Often, it just falls off or is removed by something as natural as shaving. However, if you need it removed, it is preferable that a medical professional do it.