A skin tag is a small, soft, skin-coloured growth that hangs off the skin, usually on the neck, armpits, eyelids, under the breasts or in the groin. Skin tags are very common, noncancerous and do not need to be removed. They are more likely with age, excess weight, type 2 diabetes and pregnancy. If one bothers you, a doctor can remove it safely. Do not cut, tie or burn it yourself, and avoid skin tag removal creams sold online. This guide explains what skin tags are, what causes them, how to tell them apart from warts and moles, and when to see a doctor.
Apa itu skin tag?
The NHS describes skin tags as soft, skin-coloured growths on the skin that are very common and usually small and harmless. Doctors call them acrochordons. DermNet lists other medical names, including soft fibroma and fibroepithelial polyp.
Key facts:
- Skin tags are noncancerous. Cleveland Clinic says they do not affect your health and do not raise your risk of other health issues.
- They are very common. Healthdirect Australia says about 1 in 2 adults have them, and they become more common with age.
- DermNet explains that a skin tag is made of loosely arranged collagen fibres and blood vessels, covered by skin.
- Skin tags can look like warts or moles. If you are not sure what a lump is, see the comparison table below.
What skin tags look like and where they grow
According to the NHS, skin tags:
- are usually the same colour as your skin, or a little darker;
- can look like they are hanging off the skin, often on a short, narrow stalk (MedlinePlus);
- range in size from around 2 mm to 5 cm, although most are small;
- do not usually hurt. You may have just one, or a large group of them.
Where they grow: skin tags often grow where skin rubs together or where there are skin folds. The NHS, Cleveland Clinic and Healthdirect list:
- the neck (skin tag di leher);
- the armpits (ketiak);
- the eyelids and face;
- under the breasts;
- the groin, inner thighs and genitals;
- around the bottom (anus).
Skin tags around the anus: a soft lump around the bottom can be a skin tag, but lumps around the anus can also be piles (buasir). The NHS says piles can cause lumps around the anus together with itching, pain or bright red blood after you poo. Because these look similar, have any new lump around your bottom checked by a doctor. Our guide to buasir (piles) explains the symptoms.
Skin tag, ketuat or tahi lalat: how to tell
Skin tags are sometimes confused with warts (ketuat) or moles (see our guide to tahi lalat). The NHS explains the main differences:
| Skin tag | Wart (ketuat) | Mole (tahi lalat) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel and shape | Soft; can look like it is hanging off the skin | Firm, raised, rough surface | Usually flat and round or oval |
| Colour | Skin-coloured or a little darker | Usually skin-coloured | Pink, light brown, brown or darker brown, depending on skin tone |
| Common places | Where skin rubs or folds: neck, armpits, eyelids, under the breasts, around the bottom | Hands and feet | Areas of skin exposed to the sun |
Cleveland Clinic adds that a growth that looks like a skin tag can sometimes be something else, such as a wart, a genital wart, seborrhoeic keratosis (a harmless wart-like spot) or skin cancer. This is why it is worth showing any new or changing growth to a doctor before treating it. Our guides to ketuat (warts) and kanser kulit (skin cancer) explain what to look out for.
Punca skin tag (causes and risk factors)
The NHS says the cause of skin tags is not always known, but they are sometimes caused by skin rubbing against skin. Cleveland Clinic explains that they form when the body produces extra cells in the top layers of the skin.
Anyone can get skin tags. You may be more likely to get them if:
- you are older: the chance of skin tags increases with age (Cleveland Clinic, MedlinePlus);
- you are living with obesity or have skin folds that rub together (NHS);
- you have type 2 diabetes, because severe insulin resistance is thought to cause more skin tags to grow (NHS);
- you are pregnant, as hormonal changes are thought to cause skin tag growth (NHS);
- you have a family history of skin tags (Cleveland Clinic).
DermNet also lists high levels of growth factors (for example in pregnancy or acromegaly) and the human papillomavirus (wart virus) as possible factors. Cleveland Clinic notes a rare inherited condition, Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome, which can cause many skin growths.
Cleveland Clinic says friction from a skin tag rubbing against your skin, clothes or jewellery, such as a collar, necklace or bra strap, can cause discomfort or bleeding.
Skin tags, insulin resistance & kencing manis
Skin tags are much more common in people with excess weight and type 2 diabetes. Research has looked at whether they can be a visible sign of problems with blood sugar:
- In a Turkish study of 113 people with skin tags and 31 healthy people, 53.9% of those with skin tags were overweight and 33.6% had obesity. People with skin tags had higher insulin resistance, blood glucose, HbA1c and blood fats than the comparison group (Sari et al., 2010).
- A 2025 study from South India of 150 people with skin tags and a matched group without them found a significant link with diabetes. The authors suggested skin tags may be an early marker of problems with how the body handles sugar (Joseph Chandran and Nair, 2025).
- A 2012 review notes that skin tags and acanthosis nigricans (dark, velvety skin in body folds) may be easily visible signs of insulin resistance (Barbato et al., 2012).
These are small studies, and having skin tags does not mean you have diabetes. Skin tags are also common in healthy people, especially as they get older. But if you have many skin tags together with other signs, such as dark, thick skin on the neck or armpits, excess weight, a family history of diabetes or symptoms like feeling very thirsty, it is reasonable to ask your doctor about a blood sugar check. Our guides to ketiak hitam (acanthosis nigricans) and kencing manis (diabetes) explain these conditions.
Skin tag semasa mengandung
Skin tags can appear during pregnancy. The NHS says hormonal changes during pregnancy are thought to cause skin tag growth, and DermNet links them to higher levels of growth factors at this time.
- Healthdirect Australia says skin tags that develop during pregnancy usually disappear after the baby is born.
- Do not try to remove skin tags yourself while pregnant. If one is bothering you, rubbing or bleeding, mention it at your antenatal check.
For other body changes in early pregnancy, see our guide to tanda-tanda mengandung.
Adakah skin tag bahaya?
In most cases, skin tags are not dangerous. Cleveland Clinic says skin tags are noncancerous and should not be a cause for concern. MedlinePlus says most skin tags do not grow or change.
Possible problems include:
- irritation, soreness or bleeding when a skin tag rubs against clothing or jewellery (Cleveland Clinic, Healthdirect);
- feeling self-conscious, especially with skin tags on the face, eyelids or neck;
- mistaking another growth for a skin tag. Some skin cancers, warts and other skin conditions can look similar, which is the main reason to have a new growth checked.
Some skin tags fall off on their own over time (Cleveland Clinic, Healthdirect).
Cara buang skin tag safely
Skin tags do not need to be removed. The NHS says they can be removed if they are causing problems, and Cleveland Clinic says removal may be worth discussing with your doctor if the skin tag becomes irritated, bleeds easily or you do not like how it looks.
A doctor can remove a skin tag in a short clinic procedure, usually by:
| Method | What happens |
|---|---|
| Cutting (excision) | The skin tag is cut off with a sterile surgical blade or scissors |
| Freezing (cryotherapy) | Extremely cold liquid nitrogen is used to freeze the skin tag |
| Heat (cauterisation or electrosurgery) | Heat or an electrical current is used to burn it off and stop bleeding |
What to expect, according to the NHS and Cleveland Clinic:
- you may feel mild discomfort, and you will be given medicine to keep you comfortable;
- the area usually forms a scab for a few days;
- removal can cause scarring or darker skin (hyperpigmentation), particularly on brown or black skin. This is usually temporary but can sometimes be permanent;
- once a skin tag is fully removed, it does not usually come back, but new skin tags can form elsewhere.
Where to go in Malaysia: you can start with a GP or a klinik kesihatan. Your doctor can confirm it is a skin tag and either remove it or refer you to a dermatologist (pakar kulit). Cleveland Clinic says dermatologists are best placed to remove skin tags in delicate areas such as the eyelids, and to keep scarring to a minimum on visible areas like the neck. Costs vary between clinics, so ask before your appointment.
Why not to cut, tie or burn skin tags at home
It can be tempting to snip a skin tag off, tie a thread around it or buy a cream online. Health authorities advise against all of these:
- Cutting it yourself: the NHS advises not to remove your own skin tag unless a doctor recommends it, because of the risk of infection, bleeding and scarring. MedlinePlus warns that a skin tag can bleed a lot if you cut it.
- Tying it off with thread or floss: MedlinePlus and DermNet list tying (ligation) as a method that doctors may use, but it should be done by a health professional, not at home.
- Removal creams, serums and kits sold online: Healthdirect Australia says skin tag removal kits sold online are unapproved and can cause serious skin injuries. Cleveland Clinic says at-home treatments carry a higher risk of scarring, excessive bleeding, infection, incomplete removal and damage to healthy skin nearby.
- Treating something that is not a skin tag: Cleveland Clinic lists using a remover on a growth that is not a skin tag, such as skin cancer, as one of the risks of home treatment.
A study by researchers at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) looked at injuries from unapproved mole and skin tag removers that contained concentrated salicylic acid, plant extracts or other caustic ingredients. They found 38 cases of burns, pain and ulcers, some leading to permanent scarring. Fourteen injuries were on the face, including four next to the eye (Konkel et al., 2023).
Can you prevent skin tags?
The NHS says skin tags cannot be prevented. However, Cleveland Clinic and Healthdirect suggest a few steps that may lower your chances or stop existing skin tags becoming irritated:
- keep to a healthy weight with a balanced diet (see our weight loss guide);
- get regular exercise;
- avoid jewellery and clothing that rub against the skin, such as tight collars, necklaces and bra straps.
When to see a doctor
The NHS advises seeing a GP if you have a skin tag that:
- gets bigger;
- becomes painful;
- starts bleeding;
- develops into lots of skin tags.
Healthdirect Australia also advises speaking to a doctor whenever you notice a new growth on your skin, so they can check for signs of skin cancer and other skin conditions. See a doctor too if:
- a skin tag changes in any way (MedlinePlus);
- you have a new lump around your anus or genitals, which could be piles or genital warts;
- you have many skin tags together with dark, velvety skin in body folds or symptoms of diabetes.
Your doctor can usually diagnose a skin tag just by looking at it. If they are not sure, they may take a small sample (biopsy) for testing (Cleveland Clinic, MedlinePlus).
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Apa itu skin tag (what is a skin tag)?
A skin tag is a small, soft, harmless growth that hangs off the skin, often on a short stalk. Doctors call it an acrochordon. Skin tags are usually skin-coloured or a little darker and grow where skin rubs together, such as the neck, armpits, eyelids, under the breasts, the groin and around the bottom. Healthdirect Australia says about 1 in 2 adults have them.
Adakah skin tag bahaya (are skin tags dangerous)?
Skin tags are noncancerous and do not affect your health. They can become sore or bleed if they rub on clothing or jewellery. Because a growth that looks like a skin tag can sometimes be something else, such as a wart or skin cancer, see a doctor if a skin tag gets bigger, becomes painful, bleeds or changes, or if you are not sure what it is.
Apa punca skin tag (what causes skin tags)?
The exact cause is not known, but skin tags often form where skin rubs against skin. You are more likely to get them as you get older, if you are living with obesity, if you have type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance, during pregnancy, or if skin tags run in your family.
Boleh buang skin tag sendiri (can I remove a skin tag myself)?
No. The NHS advises not to remove a skin tag yourself unless a doctor recommends it, because of the risk of infection, bleeding and scarring. MedlinePlus warns that a skin tag can bleed a lot if you cut it. A doctor can remove it safely by freezing, cutting it off with a sterile blade or scissors, or using heat.
Are skin tag removal creams safe?
Skin tag removal creams and kits sold online are not a safe option. Healthdirect Australia says these kits are unapproved and can cause serious skin injuries. A study by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) researchers found burns, ulcers and permanent scarring from unapproved mole and skin tag removers, including injuries on the face and near the eye.
Adakah skin tag akan tumbuh semula (do skin tags come back)?
Once a doctor removes the whole skin tag, it does not usually grow back. However, new skin tags can still form in other places. Keeping a healthy weight and avoiding jewellery or clothing that rubs the skin may help lower your chances.
Skin tag semasa mengandung: will it go away after birth?
Skin tags are more common during pregnancy, as hormonal changes are thought to cause them to grow. Healthdirect Australia says skin tags that develop during pregnancy usually disappear after the baby is born. If a skin tag bothers you, bleeds or changes, ask your doctor at your antenatal check.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
References
- Skin tags — NHS
- Piles (haemorrhoids) — NHS
- Skin tags (acrochordons) — Cleveland Clinic
- Skin tags — Healthdirect Australia
- Cutaneous skin tag — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Skin tag — DermNet
- Sari R, Akman A, Alpsoy E, Balci MK. The metabolic profile in patients with skin tags. Clin Exp Med. 2010;10(3):193–197.
- Joseph Chandran B, Nair S P. A clinico-morphological study of acrochordons and the association with diabetes mellitus. Cureus. 2025;17(2):e78549.
- Barbato MT, Criado PR, Silva AK, et al. Association of acanthosis nigricans and skin tags with insulin resistance. An Bras Dermatol. 2012;87(1):97–104.
- Konkel K, Reyes M, Diak IL, et al. Serious skin injuries following exposure to unapproved mole and skin tag removers. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2023;16(1):14–17.
