What Causes Skin Tags

A common question surrounding hemorrhoids, is what causes skin tags. These are flaps of skin protruding from its surrounding skin. They vary in color, shape and texture, and are often seen on a person’s eyelids, armpits, neck and in the crook of the elbows.

While dermatologists consider skin tags as little tumors, they are generally harmless. They normally grow slowly and only to as big as ½ inch long.

If you have a growth that looks like a skin tag but is growing very fast and does not show signs of stopping its growth then you will need to seek medical assistance immediately as this may be a different kind of tumor and could possibly be malignant.

Because they are relatively harmless, skin tags are not a major concern for most individuals. There are instances, however, when skin tags grow in areas that cause them to be irritated by constantly rubbing on clothes or jewelry. In this case, you can easily have the skin tag removed by your physician.

Sometimes they also appear on other parts of your body. They can either appear simply as a flap attached directly to your skin or attached through a stalk-like piece of excess skin which is called a peduncle. A peduncle makes the skin tag look like a mushroom. More questions than answers on what causes skin tags.