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Acrochordons

(Skin Tags; Fibroepithelial Polyps)

by Cynthia M. Johnson, MA

Home | Health Information Center | Disease, Condition, & Injury Fact Sheets | Article

Definition

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

Acrochordons

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.

RESOURCES:

American Academy of Dermatology
http://www.aad.org

American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
http://www.asds.net

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Dermatology Association
http://www.dermatology.ca

Dermatologists.ca
http://www.dermatologists.ca

References:

Common benign skin lesions. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/common-benign-skin-lesions. Accessed October 27, 2020.

Skin tags. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
October 27, 2020.

Skin tags. New Zealand Dermatological Society website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed October 27, 2020.

Last reviewed September 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board James P. Cornell, MD
Last Updated: 4/28/2021

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