Definition

Acrochordons are harmless growths of skin that hang from the surface of the skin. They are also known as skin tags.

Acrochordons Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Causes

The exact cause is not known.

Risk Factors

Things that may raise the risk of this problem are:

• Skin chafing and irritation
• Pregnancy
• Acromegaly
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Obesity
• Insulin resistance
• Type 2 diabetes

Symptoms

Skin tags appear as small, flesh-colored skin growths. They are often found in folds of the skin, such as the arm pit, neck, or groin. They do not cause any symptoms.

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. This is often enough to make the diagnosis.

Some people may need a skin biopsy to rule out other problems.

Treatment

Most people do not need treatment. Skin tags can be watched. They should be removed if they are causing irritation.

Removal choices are:

• Cryosurgery
• Surgical removal
• Electrosurgery
• Cutting off blood supply to the skin tag with a band

Prevention

There are no known guidelines to prevent this problem.