{"id":12818,"date":"2026-03-17T09:00:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T09:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/?p=12818"},"modified":"2026-03-17T19:35:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T19:35:55","slug":"skin-tags-are-they-a-health-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/2026\/03\/17\/skin-tags-are-they-a-health-risk\/","title":{"rendered":"Skin Tags: Are They a Health Risk?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"What\u2019s<\/p>\n

What is that weird little bump on my skin? Is it a pimple? A mole? A wart? It could be a skin tag.<\/p>\n

Para leer en Espa\u00f1ol, por favor haga clic aqu\u00ed<\/a><\/p>\n

Skin tags are small, soft, benign growths that appear on the skin\u2019s surface.\u00a0They can appear anywhere on the\u00a0body but\u00a0are\u00a0most commonly found\u00a0in areas where the skin rubs against itself or clothing, such as on the neck, armpits, or groin; under the breasts; and on the eyelids.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUp to 60%\u00a0of adults will develop skin tags, most often during middle age,\u201d says\u00a0Stephanie Flaherty, DO<\/a>, a primary care physician at\u202f<\/span>Cooper University Health Care<\/span><\/a>. \u201cThese flesh-colored growths are about the size of a pebble or grain of rice and are equally common in men and women.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The exact cause of skin tags is not fully understood, but they tend to occur more\u00a0frequently\u00a0with age and in people who are overweight or have diabetes. However, they can also appear in younger individuals with no underlying health issues.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Do You Need to See a\u00a0Doctor?<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s\u00a0important to have any skin growth properly\u00a0identified\u00a0by a health care provider to rule out skin cancer. Although skin tags are harmless, be sure to have any skin growth checked if\u00a0it changes\u00a0in size, shape, or color, becomes painful, or starts to bleed.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSkin tags come in many shapes and sizes and are usually painless,\u201d Dr.\u00a0Flaherty\u00a0says. \u201cBut skin tags are different from moles or warts and should be correctly identified by a medical professional to ensure proper treatment.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A primary care provider will\u00a0determine\u00a0if you have a skin tag, mole, wart, or other benign condition or refer you to a dermatologist if they find it concerning. \u202fIt is important to have it checked because some malignant skin cancers can also resemble skin tags.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How Are Skin Tags Removed?<\/h3>\n

Although there is no medical reason to have these benign (non-cancerous) growths removed,\u00a0some people choose to have them removed for cosmetic reasons or because they become irritated by clothing or jewelry.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When taken care of by a trained professional, skin tags are\u00a0almost always\u00a0removed with minimal hassle and no complications. A dermatologist can remove a skin tag with heat (electrocautery), by freezing it (cryotherapy), or by cutting it off with a surgical blade or scissors.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo not attempt to remove a skin tag on your own,\u201d Dr.\u00a0Flaherty\u00a0says. \u201cAlthough there are over-the-counter products for at-home removal, most of these treatments have not been approved by the FDA and could cause harm.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Misuse of a home remedy increases the risk of pain, bleeding, infection, scarring, and skin damage. There is also a chance you may not remove the tag completely, increasing the risk that it will come back.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Can Skin Tags Be Prevented?<\/h3>\n

Anyone can develop skin tags, but the following can make them more likely to occur:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n