Before we can fully answer what causes skin tags, we need to further study the basics of what is a skin tag, who gets skin tags, where are skin tags found, and what causes skin tags. A skin tag or by its scientific name, acrochordon, is a skin growth that is found somewhere on the body.
A doctor may use the following terms to describe a skin tag like:
- fibroepithelial polyp
- cutaneous papilloma
- and soft fibroma.
Clothing or jewelry causes irritation to skin tags especially as the skin tag grows in size. It is important to remember that skin tags are non cancerous, or benign, skin growths. Skin tags are not cancer. Skin tags are actually attached to the skin by a stalk… almost apart of us… You can take our skin cancer quiz here.
Did you know….that a skin tag in spanish could be called
…cabeza de vena?
Who Gets Skin Tags?
Everyone gets skin tags! You get a skin tag, You get a skin tag! All jokes aside, everyone gets skin tags.
Both men and women get skin tags! Equally shared between the two groups. Skin tags effect everyone! Studies show that they become especially more common once we hit a certain age. Middle-Age! Not only do your chances of a mid-life crisis increases…but you may get some skin tags…GREAT! They are usually small in size, they hang off the skin by the stalk. They are different from warts. Skin tags are literally hanging off the body. Skin tags are not dangerous and do not pose a medical threat. They are more annoying than anything. They will not cause you any pain. Growths are more of a cosmetic burden. The only time a skin tag might cause you any discomfort is if a piece of jewelry or clothing pulls on a skin tag.
The human body has skin tags everywhere!
Some of the main areas where they are located include:
- Neck
- Eye (primarily the eyelid)
- Underarm – Armpit area
- Thighs
- Groin – where the hip and the thigh meet
- Under Breasts
- Even the Anus
What Causes Skin Tags?
Get your popcorn ready…here are all the skin tag theories on what are the causes of skin tags. What we do know for sure is that skin tags find their way on various parts of skin flaps throughout the body. Skin tags are preventable and they can also be hereditary which you will see. So keep reading! Read the listed causes of skin tags.
Skin Tag Causes:
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Friction
Skin tags are found in skin folds. They are found in areas like the underarm, groin, under breasts, and the anus. Skin tags thrive from friction. Friction could literally be from the bodies movement (skin-to-skin) or (clothing-to-skin). Everything from our skinny jeans, our workout clothing, the tight fitting undergarments were wearing – those are all causing friction against our skin. It is not surprising that skin tags find their way to the armpits and groin of athlete’s who do continuous motion like running or throwing/hitting the ball.
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HPV Linked Lesions
HPV stands for Human Papillomavirus.
In 2008, there was a study done regarding the connection between Human Papillomavirus and skin tags. Their goal was to discover if there were any connections to the skin growths. In their study, they examined 37 total cases of skin tags from various sites of the body. They discovered there is HPV in half (48.6%) among the skin tags examined. HPV may be a cause of skin tags. There is a direct connection of HPV and Skin tags. -
Genetics
Skin tags may be hereditary. Skin tags may be a genetic condition – if skin tags are predominant in your family (multiple family members have them), there is a chance you will get them too.
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Insulin Resistance
Insulin Resistance is a red flag, it is a predecessor for type 2 diabetes and early heart disease. Something to definitely talk to your doctor about. Insulin resistance is both a genetic and lifestyle choice condition (diet). In 2010, there was a study done regarding insulin resistance and skin tags. People affected by IR – their bodies are not absorbing glucose effectively. The study found that the association between skin tags and insulin resistance was very high.
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Pregnancy
Oh the joys of pregnancy! Not only will your hormones cause cravings, your emotions to run wild, and your feet to swell up…a common and normal side effect of pregnancy is skin tags! This is probably due to the pregnancy hormones and also the weight gain that usually occurs during the pregnancy. -
Obesity
Obesity is directly connected to skin tags. Skin tags and obesity have a direct connection. In a study done in 2011, it showed that the mean number of skin tags was increased in obese people than non-obese people (BMI index & many other factors included). It also showed that the number of skin tags increased with the person’s age.
What Causes Skin Tags…How to Know if You May Be at Risk for Skin tags:
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You have HPV
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Multiple family members who have skin tags
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You are overweight
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Insulin Resistant, or have Type 2 Diabetes
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Pregnant/Pregnancy
If any of these are applicable to you, that does not quite guarantee that you will get skin tags. If you fall into one or more of these categories, your chances of skin tags increase.
Also, chances of getting a skin tag increase with age. In many of the studies, they found more skin tags on older test subjects.
Perhaps skin tags are apart of aging like how wrinkles appear. Mitigate the aging process with masks, facial peels, injections, and other treatments. Let’s not let skin tags get us down, there are some quick and easy skin tag removal products you can do at home.
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Some may want to try on their own first…perhaps a home remedy of some sort. Home remedies are great all natural ways to treat skin tags and other ailments. There are some great home remedy removers that will surprise you.
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***This is not medical advice, see a medical professional before implementing any treatments or diagnosis***
