by Drew Rowe

Created on: November 09, 2008   Last Updated: December 02, 2008

Skin tags (also known as: fribroepithelial polyp, acrochordon, cutaneous papilloma, and soft fibroma) are benign (non-cancerous), smooth, flesh-colored skin tissues that are projected from the surrounding skin from a small, narrow stalk. Although varying in appearance, skin tags usually have a soft, slightly wrinkled appearance and are an irregular shape. Ranging in size, the beginning stages of a skin tag can be as small as a pin-point sized bump around the neck, while others can be the size of a large grape.

Skin tags are commonly located on the eyelids, around the neck, armpits, chest, and groin folds. Theoretically, skin tags are thought to occur in characteristic locations where skin has a tendency to rub against skin or clothing.

Although there are no exact causes for skin tags to occur, many doctors and pathologists suggest a few important factors that may contribute to the formation of these abnormalities.

HIGH HORMONE LEVELS Hormones contribute to everything that happens within the human body. Hormones are what make people happy, sad, angry, fearful, and also affect the way the human body functions as a whole. Certain hormones contribute specifically to skin growth and maintenance. A skin tag is, in essence, a benign tumor. Because of irregular or high hormone levels, the regulation of skin growth is sometimes altered and sped up resulting in a "skin tag".

ENVIRONMENT

The environment plays a contributing role to the growth of skin tags. While some may suggest skin tags are specifically hereditary or are internally stimulated, the external environment has an indirect affect on how the body functions. Usually, when the skin is damaged by the sun, or other environmental causes, the body will automatically start to heal itself from the damage. By creating new skin cells, the body may sometimes go into "over-drive" creating more skin cells and tissue than what is needed for the skin to be repaired.

THE USE OF ILLEGAL STEROIDS

Some doctors believe another contributing factor to the formation of skin tags is the use of illegal steroids. It is suggested that taking steroids interferes with how the muscles and body function, resulting in the collagen fibers of the skin to bond together irregularly to form skin tags.

People of all ages and races are susceptible to developing skin tags. However, they are more common for the middle aged population and tend to increase as people age. Also, studies suggest that people who are obese are more susceptible to the formation of skin tags (simply because of the prevalence of skin rubbing against itself).

There are several medical ways to remove a skin tag. Removal with scissors, freezing (using liquid nitrogen), and burning (cauterization) are the most common and efficient methods of removal. The removal of any bodily abnormality should always be executed by a doctor or dermatologist.

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