Skin tags are small, soft, skin-coloured growths that hang off the skin and look a bit like warts.

They're very common, harmless, and can vary in colour and size – from a few millimetres up to 5cm (about 2 inches) wide.

Skin tags are usually found on the neck, armpits, around the groin, or under the breasts. They can also grow on the eyelids or under the folds of the buttocks.

Why do skin tags occur?

Skin tags are made of loose collagen fibres and blood vessels surrounded by skin. Collagen is a type of protein found throughout the body. 

Both men and women can develop skin tags.

Skin tags tend to grow in the skin folds, where the skin rubs against itself, such as on the neck, armpits or groin. This is why they tend to affect people who have excess folds of skin and skin chafing.

When skin tags can be a problem.

Skin tags are harmless and don't usually cause pain or discomfort. 

However, you may consider having skin tags removed if they're affecting your self-esteem, or if they snag on clothing or jewellery and bleed.

Sometimes, skin tags fall off on their own if the tissue has twisted and died from a lack of blood supply.