skin tag
{{short description|Small benign skin tumor}}
{{for|similar structures in mucous membranes such as the colon|Polyp (medicine)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox medical condition (new)
| name = Skin tag
| synonyms = Acrochordon, acrochorda, skin polyp, fibroepithelial polyp,{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RHzYQvluymwC&pg=PA209 |title=Genital Dermatology Atlas| first1 = Libby | last1 = Edwards | first2 = Peter J. | last2 = Lynch | name-list-style = vanc |page=209 |publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |isbn= 978-1-60831-079-1|year=2010}} fibrovascular papilloma, soft fibroma, fibroma molle
| image = NeckAcrochordons.jpg
| caption = Several acrochorda in the skin of the lower neck, soft consistency, the bottom acrochordon taking a pedunculated shape
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| field = Dermatology
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A skin tag, or acrochordon ({{plural form}}: acrochorda), is a small benign tumor that forms primarily in areas where the skin forms creases (or rubs together), such as the neck, armpit and groin. They may also occur on the face, usually on the eyelids. Though tags up to {{convert|1/2|in|mm|order=flip|abbr=in}} long have been seen,{{cite web | url = https://www.nlm.nih.gov/MEDLINEPLUS/ency/article/000848.htm | title = Cutaneous skin tag | work = Medline Plus | access-date = 20 August 2012 }} they are typically the size of a grain of rice. The surface of an acrochordon may be smooth or irregular in appearance and is often raised from the surface of the skin on a fleshy stalk called a peduncle. Microscopically, an acrochordon consists of a fibrovascular core, sometimes also with fat cells, covered by an unremarkable epidermis. However, tags may become irritated by shaving, clothing, jewelry or eczema.
Etiology
File:SkinTumors-P9250819.jpg]]
Skin tags are thought to occur from skin rubbing against skin, since they are often found in skin creases and folds. Studies have shown existence of low-risk human papillomaviruses 6 and 11 in skin tags, hinting at a possible role in their pathogenesis,{{cite journal |vauthors =Gupta S, Aggarwal R, Gupta S, Arora SK |title=Human papillomavirus and skin tags: Is there any association?|journal=Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol |volume=74|issue=3|pages= 222–5|year= 2008|doi=10.4103/0378-6323.39585|pmid=18583787|doi-access=free|hdl=1807/48117|hdl-access=free}} although a 2012 study found no association between skin tags and either low- or high-risk HPV.{{cite journal | vauthors = Pezeshkpoor F, Jafarian AH, Ghazvini K, Yazdanpanah MJ, Sadeghian A, Esmaili H, Karrabi M, Rohani F, Joushan B | title = An association of human papillomaviruses low risk and high risk subtypes with skin tag | journal = Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences | volume = 15 | issue = 3 | pages = 840–4 | date = May 2012 | pmid = 23493098 | pmc = 3586892 }} Acrochorda have been reported to have a prevalence of 46% in the general population.{{cite web|url=http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic606.htm|title=Acrochordon|last=Schwartz|first=Robert A|work=Medscape Reference|access-date=20 August 2012|name-list-style=vanc}} A causal genetic component is thought to exist.{{cite web |url=http://www.womens-health-beauty.com/skin-problems/acrochordons.htm |title=Acrochordons - Symptoms & Treatment |publisher=Womens-health-beauty.com |access-date=28 November 2011 |archive-date=29 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111129115345/http://www.womens-health-beauty.com/skin-problems/acrochordons.htm |url-status=dead }} They are also more common in women than in men. Acrochorda were once thought to be associated with colorectal polyps, but studies have shown no such connection exists.{{cite journal|last1=Brendler |display-authors=etal |date=June 1989|title=Skin tags are not a risk factor for colorectal polyps|journal=Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology|volume=11|issue=3|pages= 299–302|doi=10.1097/00004836-198906000-00011|pmid=2754216|s2cid=39346487 }} Rarely, they can be associated with Birt–Hogg–Dubé syndrome, acromegaly, or polycystic ovary syndrome.{{cite web|url=http://www.thedoctorsdoctor.com/diseases/acrochordon.htm |title=Acrochordon (Skin Tag, Fibroepithelial Polyp) |publisher=Thedoctorsdoctor.com |date=1 December 2008 |access-date=28 November 2011}}
Elevated blood sugar and insulin is linked to an increased incidence of skin tags through an unknown mechanism.{{cite journal | vauthors = Tamega A, Aranha AM, Guiotoku MM, Miot LD, Miot HA | title = [Association between skin tags and insulin resistance] | journal = Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia | volume = 85 | issue = 1 | pages = 25–31 | date = 1 January 2010 | pmid = 20464083 | doi = 10.1590/S0365-05962010000100003 | doi-access = free | hdl = 11449/11731 | hdl-access = free }}
Treatment
Removal, if desired or warranted, can be done by a dermatologist, a general practitioner, or a similarly trained professional who may use cauterization, cryosurgery, excision, laser, or surgical ligation to remove the acrochorda.{{cite web|url=https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/skin-tag-removal-optional-but-effective-2020032319079 |title=Skin tag removal: Optional but effective |work=Harvard Medical School |date=March 23, 2020 |access-date=November 13, 2021}} Varied home remedies are unsupported by medical evidence.
See also
- Molluscum contagiosum (a viral disease which is similar in appearance and grows in similar areas)
- List of cutaneous neoplasms associated with systemic syndromes
- Papilloma
- Cutaneous horn
References
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{{Medical resources
| DiseasesDB = 33273
| ICD10 = {{ICD10|L|91|8|l|80}}
(congenital {{ICD10|Q|82|8|q|80}})
| ICD9 = {{ICD9|701.9}}
| ICDO =
| OMIM = 109400
| MedlinePlus = 000848
| eMedicineTopic = 606
| MeshID =
}}
{{Diseases of the skin and appendages by morphology}}
{{Soft tissue tumors and sarcomas}}