by Eileen Schweickert

Created on: November 11, 2008   Last Updated: September 05, 2010

At my house, we call these little extra tags of skin "hamburgers" because they look like tiny blobs of hamburger stuck on here and there but the more correct term for them is skin tags or fibroepithelial polyps. They can also be called acrochordons. But who cares what they're called? What the heck are they, and why are they popping up on my neck?

Skin tags are small, noncancerous over-growths of skin cells that usually form in areas where there is friction. They are common under the arms, between the thighs, around the neck, under breasts. They are harmless but some folks think they are unsightly. They usually affect people in middle age but can form in younger people.

Since these growths are not malignant, they do not require treatment but they can become irritated, or if traumatized the skin can become infected around them. Then it is common to remove them and then the skin typically heals without scarring. Removal can be done by freezing or snipping them off or with laser.

If the skin tags are small enough, and in an accessible area they can be easily removed at home. Swab the area well with an alcohol pad. Let the skin dry. Pull up on the skin tag with a pair of tweezers and then snip it off close to the skin with a pair of small curved scissors that have been soaked in alcohol. Hold the scissors so that the curved side is closest to the skin. There is usually a small blood vessel in the center of each skin tag, so be ready to dab the area with a styptic pencil after removing the skin tag and this will stop the bleeding. There is little pain when removing the skin tag but the styptic pencil does sting.

The local dermatologist, or even your family doctor will happily take care of these little buggers for you if you don't have the stomach or dexterity to do it yourself. Be prepared though, they tend to keep on coming once you start seeing them appear. Some people are more prone to forming them than others. Insurance companies may consider dealing with "hamburgers" cosmetic and may not cover your doctor's charges. It is not usually expensive however to have them removed even if you have to cover the cost out-of-pocket.

So, the bottom line is that about middel age you may start seeing these little tabs of skin appear in areas where your skin rubs together. You don't need to do anything about them. If they bother you either snip them off, or have your doctor do that for you.

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