Why Do Skin Tags Form? High-Risk Groups for Skin Tags

Causes of Skin Tags

Skin tags, also known as acrochordons, are small, soft, benign growths on the skin. They can form due to several reasons:

• Genetic factors: If a family member has skin tags, the likelihood of an individual developing them increases.
• Skin aging: As the skin ages, it gradually loses its elasticity and firmness, making skin tags more likely to appear, especially in middle-aged and older adults.
• Weight and hormonal influences: People with obesity, diabetes, or other metabolic disorders, as well as women during pregnancy, are more prone to developing skin tags due to abnormal lipid and glucose metabolism.
• Friction: Frequent wearing of shirts and high-collared clothing can increase skin tags' occurrence due to friction between the skin and clothing.
• Irregular lifestyle: Poor lifestyle habits such as staying up late, excessive smoking, and alcohol consumption may trigger the growth of skin tags.

High-Risk Groups for Skin Tags

Certain groups of people are more likely to develop skin tags:

• Middle-aged and elderly: The risk of skin tags increases with age as the skin ages and loses elasticity.
• Overweight individuals: People with higher body weight are more likely to develop skin tags.
• Pregnant women: Women may develop skin tags during the second trimester of pregnancy, but these usually shrink or disappear after childbirth.
• Diabetics: Poor blood sugar control may be associated with the development of skin tags.
• Genetic predisposition: In some families, skin tags may have a genetic tendency.

Related Health Conditions

Skin tags are also associated with certain health conditions:

• Diabetes or prediabetes (abnormal blood sugar or insulin resistance)
• Other metabolic syndromes, such as hypertension, visceral fat accumulation, or abnormal cholesterol levels