A skin tag is a small benign skin growth. It has a lot of other names: acrochordon, cutaneous papilloma, cutaneous tag, fibroepithelial polyp, fibroma molluscum, fibroma pendulum, soft fibroma, and Templeton skin tags.

Acrochordons look like a cluster of skin extending on a stem. They are often the same color as the rest of the skin but some of them may be brown, pink, or black. Dark skin tags may look like moles. Most skin tags are between 1-5 mm, but some can grow as large as a few centimeters.

Skin tags often appear in skin folds that often rub on each other, for example, eyelids, armpits, and neck. They can also form where the skin rubs against clothing or jewelry.

Skin tags are very common. Around 50% of people have at least one skin tag. With age, the chances of getting a skin tag increase. These factors may be important:

HPV viruses
genes
extra weight
diabetes
skin disorders, like Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome
pregnancy

Doctors can diagnose skin tags during an examination. In some cases, a biopsy is needed.

Skin tags are not dangerous but they don’t look very nice. Besides, they might cause discomfort when they rub against clothing and accessories. In these cases, an expert can remove them.

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