What Causes Skin Tags? In most cases, skin tag usually develop skin tags due to the friction between adjacent areas of the skin or between clothing and skin, while some are hereditary. Also, some vaginal growths which look like skin tags may actually be genital warts, so it is essential to get a proper diagnosis. So, common sites for skin tag include the following: The Neck underarms Upper chest (particularly beneath the breasts in women) Groin folds Eyelids Skin tags are mostly common in overweight or obese people because of the skin-to-skin contact and friction. And despite the fact that we see skin tags in children, they seem to increase with age and are most common in middle-aged and older people. So, there are studies which shows an inherited susceptibility to the development of skin tags. In people with Crohn’s disease, skin tags around the anal opening called perianal skin tags are common. And the hormonal changes of pregnancy can also stimulate the growth of skin tags, particularly during the second trimester of pregnancy. Also, research has revealed that people with human papillomavirus (HPV) may get more skin tags than others. The type of HPV linked to skin tags is a lower-risk form of the virus than the type linked to cancer. And genital warts are typically caused by the HPV virus. What Are the Symptoms of Skin Tags? Skin tags are typically flesh-colored or may appear brown in light-skinned individuals. They may be smooth or wrinkled and range in size from very tiny (1 mm) to approximately the size of a grape. Although it is usually possible to recognize a stalk that attaches the skin tag to the underlying skin, very small skin tags may appear as raised bumps on the skin. If a skin tag is twisted on its blood supply it may turn red or black. Skin tags may bleed if caught on clothing or are otherwise torn. Skin tags are not typically painful and are not associated with any particular skin conditions or symptoms. However, people who are prone to diabetes and have a skin condition called acanthosis nigricans often have associated skin tag, suggesting that factors which make one prone to diabetes may be operative in the development of skin tags. When Should I Call the Doctor about Skin Tags? Skin tags usually do not require medical treatment unless they are irritating to the patient or if removal for cosmetic reasons is contemplated but this is very rare. How Are Skin Tags Diagnosed? The diagnosis of skin tags is made by observation as skin tags usually have a very characteristic appearance. Laboratory tests or other diagnostic studies are not required. However, your doctor may recommend that a skin tag be excised and sent to a pathologist for microscopic diagnosis to rule out other conditions of the skin that appear similar in appearance to skin tag. And certain types of moles (nevi), benign skin growths (such as seborrheic keratosis), and warts can sometimes resemble skin tag. It is very rare for a skin cancer to resemble a skin tag. What is the Outlook for Skin Tags? Skin tag removal is curative, but individuals who tend to develop skin tags will likely develop more over time. And further procedures may be necessary should removal of future skin tags be desired. How to Remove Skin Tags at Home Treatment of skin tags is only indicated if they are disturbing to the patient. And treatment involves surgical removal of the skin tags, but the recent scientific is the invention of Skincell Pro.