Diseases That Cause Skin Tags | UK Medical Guide

Summary Box

• Most skin tags are harmless, benign growths that develop in many adults.
• They are sometimes linked with health conditions such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
• Hormonal and endocrine disorders like PCOS, thyroid issues and Cushing’s can increase the risk.
• They can develop for many reasons including your age, family history, pregnancy, and skin rubbing against your skin or clothing.
• If you notice several new skin tags or sudden increase in them, it is worth mentioning this to your GP.
• Safe removal is quick and straightforward when done by a professional.

 

What Are Skin Tags?

Skin tags, also known as acrochordons, are small, soft pieces of skin that hang from the surface of a narrow stalk.

They are made up of skin cells, collagen and small blood vessels. They are most often found in areas where skin rubs together or where clothing causes repeated friction.

Skin tags become more common with age and can affect both men and women. They are not contagious and cannot be passed from one person to another.

Related read: What You Need To Know About Skin Tag

 

Common misconceptions about skin tags

Here are a few common myths worth clearing up:

• Skin tags are not contagious: you cannot catch them from someone else.
• They are not caused by poor hygiene: washing more often will not prevent or remove them.
• Most are not cancerous: a typical skin tag is harmless, however, a growth that changes quickly, bleeds or looks unusual should be checked by a healthcare professional.
• Removing one does not stop others from forming: you may develop new skin tags elsewhere if friction, genetics, or insulin resistance remain.

 

Why Do Skin Tags Form?

There is no single cause of skin tags. These are the common factors that contribute to their development:

 

Friction and skin folds

Skin tags commonly appear where skin repeatedly rubs against itself or clothing. This is why they are so common around the neck, armpits, groin and under the breasts.

 

Insulin and growth signals

When your body becomes resistant to insulin, it may produce more insulin to keep blood sugar under control. Higher insulin levels can affect growth signals in skin cells and may encourage the development of skin tags.

Hormonal disorders also play a role. Having any conditions like PCOS, high insulin, and androgen levels, can create a growth-friendly environment for skin tags.

Related read: What Causes Skin Tags? Identifying the Contributor & the Risk Factors

 

Diseases and Health Conditions Linked to Skin Tags

Certain health conditions are associated with developing them more often,

 

Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance

Insulin resistance happens when the body’s cells do not respond well to insulin. Your body then produces more insulin to compensate.

Over time, this can increase the risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

People with diabetes are more likely to have skin tags, and multiple tags can sometimes be seen alongside insulin resistance.

 

Why does insulin resistance affect skin tags?

Higher insulin levels may increase the activity of growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). These signals can encourage skin cells and fibroblasts to grow.

This may contribute to the extra tissue that forms a skin tag.

You may also notice acanthosis nigricans alongside skin tags. This causes areas of skin around the neck or armpits to become darker, thicker and velvety.

 

Hormonal and endocrine conditions

Changes in your hormone levels can affect your skin, and some endocrine conditions have been associated with a greater risk of developing skin tags.

 

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Higher insulin levels and hormonal changes, including increased androgen activity may contribute to the development of skin tags.

 

Cushing’s syndrome

Cushing syndrome is a rare condition where the body has too much cortisol for a prolonged period.

It can cause changes such as weight gain, particularly around the abdomen and face, and can also affect blood sugar and insulin levels.

 

Thyroid problems

Some research has found an association between thyroid disorders and skin tags, although the relationship is not as strong as the link with insulin resistance.

 

Acromegaly

Acromegaly is a rare condition caused by excess growth hormone. It can cause changes to the skin and soft tissues. Multiple skin tags can sometimes happen as part of these changes.

 

 

Obesity and metabolic syndrome

Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of developing skin tags.

Several possible reasons for this include:

• Additional skin folds can create more friction
• Excess weight is linked with higher risk of insulin resistance

Skin tags have also been associated with metabolic syndrome, which is a group of risk factors that can increase the chance of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

These include:

• High levels of blood sugar
• High blood pressure
• Abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels
• Increased waist size

Having skin tags does not mean you have metabolic syndrome. But if you have many skin tags with other risk factors, it is best to talk to your GP for your overall health.

Related read: Pedunculated Skin Tag: Causes, Pictures & Removal

 

Can Autoimmune Diseases Cause Skin Tags?

Should not automatically be assumed to be a harmless skin tag.

But some conditions can cause skin growths that may look similar to a skin tag.

 

Crohn’s disease

People with Crohn’s disease can develop perianal skin tags around the anus.

They are linked to inflammation associated with Crohn’s disease and are not the same as the typical skin tags found on the neck or armpits.

This distinction is important to understand because a new growth around the anus should not automatically be assumed to be a harmless skin tag.

 

What About Immune System Problems?

Some researchers have investigated whether inflammation, immune changes or certain types of HPV may play a role in some skin tags. However, these links are not considered as well established as the associations with insulin resistance, obesity and metabolic conditions.

 

Where Do Skin Tags Usually Appear?

Skin tags tend to develop in areas where there is friction, warmth or skin to skin contact.

• Neck
• Armpits
• Groin
• Eyelids
• Under the breasts

Related read: Types of Skin Tags: Causes, Symptoms & Removal

 

Who Is More Likely to Develop Skin Tags?

You may be more likely to develop skin tags if you have:

• A family history of skin tags
• Increasing age
• Obesity or excess weight
• Insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes
• Pregnancy or hormonal changes
• PCOS
• Increased skin friction
• Metabolic syndrome

 

When Should You See a GP or Dermatologist?

Most skin tags do not need treatment.

But, book an appointment with your GP if you notice:

• Several new skin tags appearing within a short period
• Rapid growth
• A change in shape or appearance
• Bleeding
• Persistent pain
• Change in colour
• A growth that does not look like your usual skin tags

 

Can You Prevent Skin Tags?

Looking after your health may reduce some factors linked with developing new skin tags.

 

Maintain a healthy weight

Gradual weight loss, especially if you are overweight, can reduce skin folds and friction. It can also improve insulin sensitivity.

 

Keep blood sugar under control

Following your treatment plan if you have diabetes and keep your blood sugar within your recommended range may reduce some metabolic factors linked with skin tags.

 

Manage hormonal conditions

Get an appropriate treatment if you have conditions like PCOS or a thyroid disorder to help you manage underlying hormonal changes.

 

Reduce friction

Loose, comfortable clothing can help reduce repeated rubbing. Also, always keep skin folds clean and dry to reduce irritation.

 

Professional Skin Tag Removal

Common removal methods include:

Removal Method	How It Works	When It May Be Suitable
Cryotherapy	The skin tag is frozen with liquid nitrogen. The treated area dries out and the tag falls off over time.	Smaller skin tags
Cautery	An electrical current heats and removes the skin tag. It can help control bleeding during treatment.	Skin tags where controlled removal is needed
Surgical excision	A clinician cuts away the skin tag using a sterile blade. Local anaesthetic may be used to keep the area more comfortable.	Larger or more prominent skin tags

The best method depends on the size, location and appearance of the growth.

 

Why choose professional removal?

Having a skin tag checked and removed by a qualified clinician means they can first make sure it really is a skin tag.

Professional treatment can also reduce the risk of:

• Infection
• Unnecessary bleeding
• Scarring
• Treating the wrong type of skin growth

If a lesion looks unusual, the clinician may recommend sending it for laboratory analysis.

Also avoid DIY removal because it can cause bleeding, infection and scarring.

Related read: What to Expect Before You Book A Skin Tag Removal

 

FAQs

• What disease is most commonly linked to skin tags?

Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes are among the health conditions that are strongly linked with multiple skin tags.

• Are multiple skin tags a sign of diabetes?

They can sometimes be associated with diabetes, particularly when many new tags appear around the neck.

• Can hormonal imbalance cause skin tags?

Yes. Conditions like PCOS and Cushing’s syndrome may increase the risk because they can affect insulin and other growth signals.

• Is there an autoimmune disease that causes skin tags?

Crohn’s disease can cause perianal skin tags, but these are linked to inflammation and are different from ordinary skin tags.

• Can skin tags disappear if blood sugar improves?

Existing tags usually do not disappear simply because your blood sugar improves. But improving your metabolic health may help reduce risk of developing new skin tags.

• Are skin tags dangerous?

Most skin tags are harmless and do not need treatment. But if the growth starts bleeding, changes quickly, is painful or looks unusual, have it checked by a GP or dermatologist for a proper assessment.