MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Cutaneous skin tags

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Cutaneous skin tags

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms	Signs and tests Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider

Illustrations

Skin tag

Alternative names Return to top

Skin tags; Acrochordons

Definition Return to top

Cutaneous skin tags is a skin condition involving small, generally benign skin growths.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Cutaneous tags are very common, generally benign skin growths that occur most often after midlife. They are tiny skin protrusions, and may have a small narrow stalk connecting the skin bump to the surface of the skin. They are usually painless and do not grow or change, except for occasional irritation from rubbing by clothing or other friction. Their origin is unknown.

Symptoms Return to top

Skin growth
- Usually very small, but sometimes half an inch long
- Located on the neck, armpits, trunk, body folds, or other areas
- May have a narrow stalk
- Usually skin-colored, occasionally darker

Signs and tests Return to top

Diagnosis is based primarily on the appearance of the skin growth.

Treatment Return to top

Treatment is usually not necessary unless the cutaneous tags are irritating or are cosmetically displeasing. The growths may be surgically removed, removed by freezing (cryotherapy), or electrically burning off (cautery).

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

Cutaneous tags are generally benign and usually not bothersome. They may become irritated or be cosmetically displeasing. There is usually no regrowth or scar formation cutaneous tags are removed, although new growths may appear elsewhere on the body.

Complications Return to top

There are usually no complications. Occasionally, irritation and discomfort may occur. The skin tags may be cosmetically unsightly.

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Call your health care provider if cutaneous tags are present and you want them removed, or if the appearance of a cutaneous tag changes.

Update Date: 4/20/2004

Updated by: Jonathan Kantor, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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